Departmental Manpower

Theresa May: To ask the Prime Minister how many  (a) men and  (b) women of each Civil Service grade are employed in Number 10 Downing street.

Gordon Brown: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Gillian Merron) today.

Departmental Manpower

Theresa May: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many  (a) men and  (b) women are employed by the Cabinet Office, broken down by civil service grade.

Gillian Merron: The figures requested are published by the Office of National Statistics in "Civil Service Statistics". The latest figures are available in Table H of "Civil Service Statistics 2006" at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_labour/2006CivilServiceStatistics.pdf

Internet: Protection

James Brokenshire: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much his Department has spent on promoting and developing the Get Safe On Line initiative.

Gillian Merron: The Cabinet Office has contributed £300,000 to the Get Safe Online initiative in the last three years alongside contributions from the corporate sponsors including eBay, HSBC, Microsoft, Cable and Wireless and Symantec. The Cabinet Office will be contributing a further £150,000 towards this year's ongoing awareness campaign which includes internet safety road shows, web advertising, online quizzes and competitions and direct marketing.
	Get Safe Online, a Government and industry initiative, plays an important role in raising awareness and promoting information on internet safety.

Afghanistan: Armed Conflict

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times on average members of his Department's staff based in the provincial reconstruction team in Lashkar Gar left the team's compound other than by air in each of the last six months.

Jim Murphy: Average monthly moves vary depending on the assessed security situation. For the last six months, an individual member has left the team's compound an average of 9.6 times per month by ground. This applies to all staff except those in an administrative/support role who are not expected to leave the base except by air.

EU Reform: Treaties

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what the roles of  (a) the EU External Action Service and  (b) his Department will be in developing areas of policy where a EU common position has been decided if the Treaty of Lisbon is ratified;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the likely role of the EU External Action Service in  (a) the United Nations and  (b) the Commonwealth if the Treaty of Lisbon is ratified.

Jim Murphy: EU common positions are agreed by the member states in the Council by unanimity. This arrangement will not change following ratification of the EU reform treaty.
	No decisions have yet been taken on the organisation and functioning of the External Action Service, or on the timing of when formal discussions between the member states on the External Action Service should begin. But the treaty does provide for the organisation to assist the work of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to implement the decisions of the European Council and the Council, represent the Union for matters relating to the Common Foreign and Security Policy and organise the co-ordination of member states action in international organisations and at international conferences. The treaty also specifies that the External Action Service shall operate in co-operation with the diplomatic services of the member states.

Instrument of Pre-Accession

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial assistance has been allocated within the Instrument of Pre-Accession to  (a) Bosnia-Herzegovina,  (b) Serbia and  (c) Croatia for each year from 2007 to 2010.

David Miliband: The Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) came into force on 1 January 2007. IPA is a new, consolidated and simplified instrument that brings together previous funding streams and enhances donor co-ordination with international financial institutions. The UK provides 17.5 per cent. of the funding. Other significant donors are Germany (21.1 per cent.), France (16.4 per cent.) and Italy (13.6 per cent.).
	We are closely involved with the process of ensuring that the right projects are prioritised and funded. It funds projects in the two countries negotiating to join the EU (Croatia and Turkey) and the countries which are candidates or pre-candidates for EU membership in the Western Balkans. These projects are crucial to the delivery of reforms preparing countries for EU membership. They promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for the protection of minorities, as well as economic reform and increased capacity to implement EU law and standards in areas ranging from free movement of goods to the environment.
	Funding allocations for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia (not including Kosovo) for the period 2007-10 are:
	
		
			   € 
			  Bosnia and Herzegovina  
			 2007 662,100,000 
			 2008 74,800,000 
			 2009 89,100,000 
			 2010 106,000,000 
			   
			  Croatia  
			 2007 141,227,000 
			 2008 146,000,000 
			 2009 151,200,000 
			 2010 154,200,000 
			   
			  Serbia  
			 2007 189,700,000 
			 2008 190,900,000 
			 2009 194,800,000 
			 2010 198,700,000 
		
	
	The full indicative allocations under IPA for 2007-11 can be found at:
	http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/key_documents/2007/nov/miff_en.pdf.

Turkey-UK Strategic Partnership Agreement

Edward O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Turkey-UK Strategic Partnership Agreement, what discussions were held with the Cyprus government on those parts of the agreement that refer to Cyprus prior to its signing; what his definition is of high level contacts with Turkish Cypriot authorities; what his policy is on  (a) the engagement of TRNC universities with the Bologna Process,  (b) the right of Turkish Cypriots to representation in the European Parliament and  (c) direct commercial, economic, political and cultural contact between the UK, EU and Turkish Cypriots; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The Strategic Partnership document reflects the breadth of co-operation between the UK and Turkish governments, with a focus on issues of importance to all EU partners. It is also intended to promote an objective, shared by the UK and Cyprus, of ensuring that Turkey meets all of its obligations towards the EU, including full normalisation of relations with its neighbours, and implementation of the Ankara agreement protocol. As an EU partner, the UK is firmly committed to holding Turkey to the stringent accession criteria already in place. We will continue to engage with Turkey at the most senior levels in order to achieve this.
	The UK/Turkey Strategic Partnership does not represent a change in our policy towards the government of Cyprus. As such, there were no discussions with Cyprus prior to its signing.
	I made clear in my written ministerial statement on 7 November,  Official Report, columns 5-6WS that the UK does not recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", and that nothing in the UK/Turkey Strategic Partnership represents a change to this policy. We do, however, have regular contacts with the Turkish Cypriot community on a range of issues, most importantly, encouraging them to play a full part in the UN settlement process.
	Officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are in contact with Turkish Cypriot academics on how to raise Turkish Cypriot educational standards. These contacts have sought to promote an exchange of ideas between educational establishments on practical issues. The aim is to ensure Turkish Cypriot universities are able to maintain standards comparable with those institutions that are members of the Bologna process.
	Turkish Cypriots are European citizens. Our preferred means to enfranchise them would be a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem that enables them to elect representatives to the European Parliament in the normal way. Absent of a settlement, we welcome interest shown by Turkish Cypriots in the European Parliament; and by European parliamentarians in the Turkish Cypriot community—not least through oversight of the implementation of the Aid Regulation by the Commission.
	The EU made a commitment in April 2004, reiterated in January 2007, to "end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and facilitate the reunification of Cyprus" with "particular emphasis on the economic integration of the island and on improving contact between the two communities and with the EU". We fully support these objectives.

Turkey-UK Strategic Partnership Agreement

Edward O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the provisions of the Turkey-UK Strategic Partnership Agreement that refer to contact with Turkish Cypriots on (a) UK policy on the status of the TRNC and (b) perceptions of UK policy in (i) Cyprus, (ii) Turkey and (iii) the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: I have made clear in my written ministerial statement on 7 November,  Official Report, columns 5-6WS, that we do not recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", and that nothing in the UK/Turkey Strategic Partnership represents a change to this policy. We do, however, maintain regular contacts with the Turkish Cypriot community on a range of issues, most importantly, encouraging them to play a full part in the UN settlement process
	Our priority towards Cyprus remains full support for the implementation of the UN's 8 July agreement leading to a comprehensive and durable settlement. We also support the EU's efforts to "end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and facilitate the reunification of Cyprus". We shall continue to take every effort to build and strengthen our relations with Cyprus and take forward common goals, including reunification of the island, and Turkish membership of the EU.

Turkey-UK Strategic Partnership Agreement

Edward O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with his Turkish counterpart prior to signing the Turkey-UK Strategic Partnership Agreement on  (a) immigration from Turkey to Cyprus and  (b) reducing the Turkish military presence in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The UK/Turkey Strategic Partnership Agreement focuses on the long-term strategic objectives between Turkey and the UK. During the recent meeting between my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister pressed the Turkish Prime Minister to support the UN process and work towards a Cyprus settlement. Our policy has always been to encourage all parties, including Turkey, to play a full part in the UN settlement process.
	Security and immigration are core issues that will ultimately need to be addressed in the course of substantive negotiations to achieve a comprehensive settlement. We continue to support the 8 July process and hope that genuine negotiations can start as soon as possible. We do believe, however, that a reduction in the number of Turkish troops will help build trust on the island.

Director of Public Prosecutions

David Amess: To ask the Solicitor-General what process was followed in the appointment of the Director of Public Prosecutions; where the post was advertised; how many persons applied for the post; how many were short-listed for interview; whether consideration was given to a candidate's political views; how each was appraised; what criteria were adopted for each candidate; how many candidates were rejected; and if she will make a statement.

Vera Baird: The Director of Public Prosecutions was appointed by the then Attorney-General in 2003. He was unanimously recommended for the post by a panel which was chaired by the then First Civil Service Commissioner and also comprised two permanent secretaries and a serving Appeal Court judge. The post was advertised in the national media and a firm of executive search consultants was engaged. 16 applications were considered and three candidates were interviewed. Ken Macdonald QC was identified as the best candidate for his experience, his leadership qualities and vision. Candidates' political views were not a relevant consideration.

Racial Violence

Jo Swinson: To ask the Solicitor General how many  (a) charges and  (b) convictions there were for incitement to racial hatred in each of the last 10 years.

Vera Baird: The Attorney General's office keeps data on prosecutions under Part III of the Public Order Act 1986, relating to offences concerning conduct intended to, or likely to, stir up racial hatred. The following table captures the relevant AGO data for the period 1997 to 2007 inclusive. The AGO statistics are recorded by reference to the year in which each case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police, rather than the year in which an offender was charged or eventually convicted.
	
		
			   Number of persons charged  Number of persons convicted  Other outcome( 1) 
			 1997 7 4 1A,1D,1 stayed 
			 1998 0 0 — 
			 1999 5 3 1A,1D 
			 2000 8 5 2A,1 D 
			 2001 2 1 ID 
			 2002 1 1 — 
			 2003 8 7 ID 
			 2004 8 3 2A,2O, 1 died 
			 2005 2 2 — 
			 2006 3 3 — 
			 2007 0 0 — 
			 Total 44 29 15 
			 (1) Key to abbreviations: A = acquitted D = dropped O = ongoing

Ethnic Minorities

Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what proportion of staff in the Government Equalities Office are  (a) male,  (b) female,  (c) black and minority ethnic male and  (d) black and minority ethnic female.

Barbara Follett: holding answer 4 December 2007
	 Following the announcement of the establishment in summer 2007, of the Government Equalities Office; staff transferred from the Communities and Local Government. The following data do not include a number of staff who have recently joined the office.
	These figures also incorporate staff numbers from the Women's National Commission.
	
		
			   Percentage 
			  (a) Male 40 
			  (b) Female 60 
			  (c) BME male 8 
			  (d) BME female 15

London City Airport

Derek Conway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what discussions her Department has had with the London Borough of Bexley planning authority on the impact of an increase in the number of aircraft arriving at and departing from London City Airport on the vector path over that borough;
	(2)  what discussions her Department has had with the relevant planning authorities on increasing the number of aircraft arriving at and departing from London City Airport;
	(3)  if she will place in the Library copies of exchanges between her Department and the London Borough of Newham on proposals to increase the number of aircraft arriving at and departing from London City Airport.

Tom Harris: No such discussions have taken place. The 2003 White Paper "The Future of Air Transport" recognised that the airport served a niche business market and was likely to demonstrate steady growth. In principle, the Government support their development, subject to relevant environmental considerations.
	The White Paper does not itself authorise or preclude any particular development, but sets out a policy framework that will guide decisions on future planning applications. Ultimately, it is for airport owners and operators to bring forward proposals for airport development in the normal way, through the statutory land-use planning system.
	Furthermore, Ministers have a quasi-judicial role in the planning process with regard to transport-related applications raised on appeal. It would, therefore, be prejudicial for Ministers to comment on, or discuss, matters that are subject to a planning application and may come before a planning inquiry.

ACP Countries: EU External Trade

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the policy of the Government is on the end of the EU-African Caribbean and Pacific countries sugar protocol; and what steps the Government plans to take to ensure that producers in developing countries do not experience hardship from the end to the Protocol.

Gareth Thomas: The ending of the sugar protocol (SP) must be seen in the wider context of the 'Everything but Arms' agreement with the least developed countries, the economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and the common agricultural policy (CAP) sugar reforms in the EC. The EPA offers all ACP countries the opportunity to export, in the medium term, sugar duty free and quota free to the EC. For the UK, improving access to the EC market for all ACP countries is an important requirement to ensure that EPAs live up to their potential to be tools for development.
	We recognise that the CAP sugar reforms and the end of the SP will present challenges for many of the 18 ACP countries that are signatory to the SP. We have always been clear that such countries require transitional assistance in order to adapt their economies to face the challenges. As a result of our lobbying, the European Commission has made available €1.284 billion over the period of 2006-13 directly from its budget. The 18 signatory countries will all benefit from this transitional assistance and they will have to draw up a national action plan to show how they will spend their allocation. DFID provided financial support totalling £200,000 to the six Caribbean countries that are part of the ACP-SP to help them draw up their national action plans.

Afghanistan: Reconstruction

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many times on average individual members of his Department's staff based in the provincial reconstruction team in Lash Kar Gar left the team's compound other than by air in each of the last six months.

Gareth Thomas: DFID has one member of staff, a development adviser, based in the provincial reconstruction team. Over the last six months, the development adviser has left the provincial reconstruction team compound an average of 12-15 times per month by road for meetings and visits within Lashkar Gah.

Departmental Pay

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many and what proportion of his Department's staff are employed within each salary band; what the title and role of each position within each salary band is; and for each salary band what the  (a) bonus structure,  (b) retirement provision,  (c) expenses provision,  (d) total expenses incurred in each of the last 10 years,  (e) average age of employee,  (f) number of (i) women and (ii) men and  (g) ethnic composition is.

Gareth Thomas: The Department for International Development (DFID) employs both home civil servants (HCS) and locally engaged staff (known as staff appointed in country or SAIC), who work in more than 60 overseas offices. SAIC are employed on local terms and conditions. Salaries paid to SAIC vary from country to country to reflect conditions in the local labour markets.
	FID's HCS and SAIC workforce is structured around a grade hierarchy, rather than by salary band. There are numerous job titles and roles that fall within each grade, covering administrative, technical and advisory staff, and it is not therefore possible to assign staff numbers to each title or role.
	As of the end of November 2007, the number of staff by grade and those as a proportion of the total are as shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Grade  Home civil servants  Staff appointed in country  Total  Percentage of total by grade 
			 SCS 93 0 93 3.6 
			 A1 236 4 240 9.3 
			 A2 449 41 490 19.0 
			 A2(L) 127 78 205 8.0 
			 B1D 72 0 72 2.8 
			 B1 257 93 350 13.6 
			 B2 248 224 472 18.3 
			 C1 210 246 456 17.7 
			 C2 25 78 103 4.0 
			 C3 n/a 47 47 1.8 
			 C4 n/a 3 3 0.1 
			 D1 n/a 30 30 1.2 
			 D2 n/a 10 10 0.4 
			 D3 n/a 0 0 0 
			 D4 n/a 5 5 0.2 
			 Total 1,717 859 2,576 100 
			 n/a= not applicable 
		
	
	 (a) There are separate bonus structures for staff in the Senior Civil Service (SCS) and those at other grades. All bonus payments are non-consolidated for pay purposes, and non-pensionable. The approximate proportion of the overall pay bill allocated to bonus payments made to HCS in 2006-07 was 1.4 per cent.
	 (b) The majority of HCS are eligible to join the civil service pensions schemes, and retirement benefits are paid in accordance with the rules of those schemes. Further information is available from the civil service pensions website, at
	www.civilservice-pensions.gov.uk
	SAIC are not eligible to join the civil service pensions schemes. Any superannuation arrangements for this group are determined locally, based on local practice and feasibility.
	 (c) All staff are entitled to seek reimbursement of necessary out-of-pocket expenses. HCS based overseas are also entitled to receive an allowance to compensate for any additional cost of everyday goods and services, which ensures that their income has the same purchasing power as in the UK.
	 (d) The payment of expenses is administered independently by each of our departments and offices overseas, and the total value of those payments incurred in the last 10 years could only be obtained and collated at disproportionate cost.
	 (e) The average age of our employees, the  (f) number of women and men, and  (g) ethnic composition is shown in the following tables, but age, gender and ethnicity are all provided by staff on a voluntary basis. The numbers who have chosen not to provide this information is shown as "N/D"—not declared.
	
		
			  Home Civil Servants 
			Gender  Ethnicity  
			  Grade  Average Age  Men  Women  Asian  Black  Mixed  White  N/D  Other  Total 
			 SCS 47 61 32 2 2 2 69 16 2 93 
			 A1 47 153 83 5 2 5 188 32 4 236 
			 A2 40 232 217 17 6 10 301 111 4 449 
			 A2(L) 44 56 71 6 4 1 93 21 2 127 
			 B1D 29 30 42 2 4 0 26 40 0 72 
			 B1 42 142 115 14 8 10 192 31 2 257 
			 B2 41 101 147 12 11 4 186 32 3 248 
			 C1 45 69 141 4 16 4 144 40 2 210 
			 C2 52 14 11 2 3 0 17 3 0 25 
			 Total 42 858 859 64 56 36 1,216 326 19 1,717 
		
	
	
		
			  Staff appointed-in-country( 1) 
			Gender  Ethnicity  
			  Grade  Average Age  Men  Women  Asian  Black  Mixed  White  N/D  Other  Total 
			 A1 51 3 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 
			 A2 42 19 18 4 2 0 0 39 0 41 
			 A2(L) 40 38 35 5 0 1 0 77 0 78 
			 B1 39 33 50 10 1 3 2 86 1 93 
			 B2 38 82 117 25 3 4 1 216 0 224 
			 C1 36 78 143 25 2 3 0 241 0 246 
			 C2 39 58 17 3 1 1 0 76 0 78 
			 C3 42 37 9 1 0 1 0 45 1 47 
			 C4 31 1 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 
			 D1 45 21 0 9 0 0 0 30 0 30 
			 D2 35 10 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 10 
			 D4 34 3 2 0 0 0 0 5 0 5 
			 Total 39 383 394 82 9 13 3 832 2 859 
			 ( 1) 86 SAIC have not declared their age. The average age by grade for this group has been calculated only for those who have.

Licensed Premises

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish a comparison of average costs for licensed premises incurred under  (a) the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 in the first year after the Act came into force and  (b) the provisions of the Licensing Act 1964 in the 12 months before the Licensing Act 2003 came into force.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It is not possible to calculate a meaningful average total cost of the licensing regime or each licensed premises as the costs of compliance with licence conditions are not recorded and will be specific to each individual premises. In addition, not all temporary event notices are given by licensed premises and not all personal licences costs are incurred by licensed premises.
	However, a recent exercise to calculate the administrative burdens of the Licensing Act 2003 using the standard cost model method of measurement has estimated that the 2003 Act imposes an annual administrative burden of approximately £86 million per year. The estimated total cost of the old licensing regimes was approximately £183 million per year. This included the costs of the Licensing Act 1964, but also the costs of the other relevant regimes including those relating to the licensing of public entertainment and late night refreshment. The administrative burdens do not include the cost of transition, nor licence fees nor compliance with licence conditions.

Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many  (a) males and  (b) females were (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted of an offence under Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, in each year since the Section came into force, broken down by police force area;
	(2)  how many  (a) males and  (b) females have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted of an offence under provisions in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 in each year since it came into force, broken down by relevant section.

Jack Straw: Data showing the number of males and females proceeded against and found guilty in England and Wales, by police force area, under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 from 2000 to 2006 is in the table. My Department is unable to separate data for Section 61, as the data is not collected to that level of detail.
	
		
			  Number of males and females proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts, for offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Ac 2000, in England and Wales, 2000 to 2006( 1,2,3) 
			   2004  2005  2006 
			  Offence  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty 
			  Triable either way offences ( 4,6)   
			  Greater Manchester   
			 Male 1 1 — — — — 
			 Total 1 1 — — — — 
			  Metropolitan police   
			 Male — — — — — 2 
			 Total — — — — — 2 
			  Sussex   
			 Male 1 1 — — — — 
			 Total 1 1 — — — — 
			  England and Wales (Triable either way offences) 2 2 — — — 2 
			
			  Summary  o ffences( 5,6)   
			  Greater Manchester   
			 Male 1 1 — — — — 
			 Total 1 1 — — — — 
			  Hertfordshire   
			 Male 1 — — — — — 
			 Total 1 — — — — — 
			  Leicestershire   
			 Male 1 — 1 1 — — 
			 Total 1 — 1 1 — — 
			  Metropolitan police   
			 Male 4 4 6 6 7 4 
			 Female 1 — 1 — — — 
			 Total 5 4 7 6 7 4 
			  Staffordshire   
			 Male — — 1 1 — — 
			 Female — — — — 1 — 
			 Total — — 1 1 1 — 
			  West Midlands   
			 Male — — 2 2 — — 
			 Total — — 2 2 — — 
			  England and Wales (Summary Offences) 8 5 11 10 8 4 
			
			 England and Wales—all offences 10 7 11 10 8 6 
			 (1) There were no prosecutions or convictions under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 between 2000 and 2003. Police force areas with no prosecutions or convictions are not shown in the table. Similarly, where no females have been prosecuted or convicted in certain areas, no female row is shown. (2 )These data are on the principal offence basis. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (4) The following sections of the Act are triable either way offences: 43(7) Failing to deliver report of auditor removal/resignation 44(4) Making false statement to auditor 54(5) Fail to provide information about donation/donor to party 54(6) Agent failing to provide information to party about donor 56(3) and Sch.20 Registered party fail to return impermissible donation 56(3) and Sch.20 Treasurer fail to return impermissible donation 56(3) and Sch.20 Treasurer fail to return donation by unidentifiable donor 61(1) and Sch.20 Enter arrangement facilitating impermissible donation 61(1) and Sch.20 Act in furtherance of an arrangement facilitating impermissible donation 61(2)(a) and Sch.20 Give treasurer false information about donation 61(2)(b) and Sch.20 Withhold from treasurer false information about donation 65(4) and Sch.20 Fail to comply with donation reports requirements 66(5) and Sch.20 False declaration in donation report 68(5)(a) and Sch.20 Individual donor fail to report multiple small donations 68(5)(a) and Sch.20 Non-individual donor fail to report multiple small donations 68(5)(b) and Sch.20 Deliver out of time/complete report declaring multiple donations 68(5)(c) and Sch.20 Failure to declare multiple small donations 73(85) and Sch.20 Make false declaration of campaign expenditure (5) The following sections of the Act are summary offences. 24(8) Political party treasurer convicted of offences 39 Making false statement to electoral commission 47(1)(a) Fail to deliver proper statement of accounts 47(1)(b) Fail to deliver statement of accounts before end of relevant period 65(3) and Sch.20 Treasurer fail to deliver donation report within 30 days 65(3) and Sch.20 Treasurer fail to deliver donation report within 7 days (6) It is not possible to provide separate data for a particular section of the Act—for example section 61

Prisoners: Learning Disability

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is co-ordinating with other Departments to address the needs of offenders with learning difficulties and disabilities; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP), part of the Department of Health, produced the document 'Positive Practice, Positive Outcomes; A handbook for Professionals in the Criminal Justice System working with offenders with learning disabilities' (CSIP, 2007). This set out the support that must be provided by the police, the courts, in prisons and on probation and was developed in collaboration with relevant Government agencies.
	The Ministry of Justice is working alongside the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, to ensure that the needs of young offenders are taken into account in the review of speech language and communication needs which is being led by the hon. Member for Buckingham (John Bercow).
	The Learning and Skills Council, an NDPB associated with the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, co-commissions alongside NOMS education and skills provision in prisons and probation. This provision is delivered through contracts with education providers, which deliver such provision against requirements laid out in a key document—the Offender's Learning Journey—which includes particular requirements on meeting the needs of those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

Prisons: Staff

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what speech and learning disability awareness training is available to staff in prisons.

Maria Eagle: No specific training is delivered centrally to prison officers in identifying people with such difficulties but under Prison Service Order 2855. Governors must ensure that procedures exist for prisoners to be able to disclose disability, including learning disabilities, both on reception and subsequently. Each prison must have a disability liaison officer to ensure that the needs of disabled prisoners are met.

Private Security Act 2001

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) prosecutions have been brought and  (b) convictions obtained for offences under section 22 of the Private Security Act 2001.

Vernon Coaker: I have been asked to reply.
	The licensing of individuals under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA) has been rolled out since 2004.
	Section 22 creates offences connected with the making of false statements to the Security Industry Authority.
	For each of the three years 2004, 2005 and 2006, there have been no prosecutions or convictions under section 22 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The data for 2007 will be available in the autumn of 2008.
	There are a number of provisions under the PSIA and immigration legislation, under which proceedings can be taken in respect of offences by persons applying for SIA licences, or holding licences. Which provision would be appropriate in a particular case would depend on the circumstances of the case.

Young Offenders: Lancashire

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people under 18-years-old were convicted for  (a) vehicle crime,  (b) domestic burglary and  (c) robbery in Lancashire in each of the last 10 years.

David Hanson: Data showing the number of people under 18-years-old convicted of vehicle crime, domestic burglary and robbery in Lancashire from 1997 to 2006 is in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of persons aged under 18 found guilty at all courts for selected offences in the Lancashire police force area, 1997  to  2006( 1, 2) 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Burglary and aggravated burglary 183 164 142 169 142 233 143 125 177 164 
			 Robbery 72 42 50 52 54 75 62 53 52 79 
			 Vehicle theft(3) 108 84 78 71 56 56 43 36 34 57 
			 (1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces and courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Includes offences of theft of a vehicle and theft from a vehicle.  Source: Court proceedings database—Office for Criminal Justice Reform

Disabled: Access

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which central offices occupied by his Department  (a) are and  (b) are not fully accessible to disabled people.

Anne McGuire: Accessibility audits were commissioned in 2004 for all of the 1,191 buildings where my Department is major occupier. The resultant national programme of works to improve access for disabled people was completed in 2006. Central office buildings are included in the total of 1,191.
	Although central data is held of the number of occupied buildings which are or are not considered to be fully accessible to disabled people, where there are access difficulties for disabled people, my Department makes appropriate reasonable adjustment to its arrangements for the recruitment and employment of staff as well as the services and requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Housing Benefit: Lone Parents

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the effect on numbers of housing benefit claims of transferring lone parents from income support to jobseeker's allowance.

James Plaskitt: No assessment has been made of the effect on numbers of housing benefit claims of transferring lone parents from income support to jobseeker's allowance.
	Customers in receipt of either income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance are already passported onto full housing benefit.

Opinion Leader Research

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many contracts were awarded by his Department to Opinion Leader Research in each year since 1997; and what was  (a) the title and purpose,  (b) the cost to the public purse and  (c) the dates of (i) tender, (ii) award, (iii) operation and (iv) completion and report to the Department in each case.

Anne McGuire: On 9 January 2006, a contract was awarded by the Department for Work and Pensions to Opinion Leader Research to carry out a UK-wide public consultation on the Pension Commission's proposals to reform the UK's pension system. This involved the management and facilitation of a number of regional events, linked by satellite technology and involved 1,275 people; interactive on-line surveys; a detailed stakeholder toolkit for locally held debates; citizens advisory panels; and, resulting analysis for the National Pensions Day debate on 18 March 2006.
	The contract was put to tender on 12 December 2005 to six companies on the DWP CIPHeR (consultants, interims, personnel and human resources) framework. Three valid responses were received. The cost of the contract totalled £999,180 (including VAT) and was awarded based on expertise and value for money. The contract started on 16 January 2006 and was completed on 31 May 2006.
	The National Pensions Day debate generated significant coverage in the media and raised public awareness of pensions issues preparing the ground for the forthcoming publication of the May 2006 White Paper 'Security in Retirement towards a New Pensions System'.
	On 25 January 2007 a second minor contract was awarded to Opinion Leader Research for the Pensions Communications Strategy—SCS (senior civil servant) Workshops for the provision of a facilitator. This contract went to tender on 10 January 2007 and ran from 29 January to 28 February 2007. The value of this contract was £3,055.00 (including VAT).
	Following a robust evaluation of proposals received against each exercise. VfM decisions were made in accordance with pre-paid evaluation criteria that followed Government best practice procurement processes.

Departmental Manpower

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) men and  (b) women are employed by his Department, broken down by civil service grade.

Derek Twigg: The information requested is shown in the table as follows:
	
		
			  Civilian personnel( 1)  by gender as at 1 October 2007 
			  Headcount: 
			   Male  Female  Total 
			 SCS and Broader Banded Equivalents(2) 260 40 310 
			 Band B 2,030 530 2,560 
			 Band C 12,290 4,800 17,080 
			 Band D 7,410 4,370 11,780 
			 Band E 11,440 14,210 25,650 
			 Other non Industrial 270 740 1,020 
			 Industrials 10,460 2,620 13,080 
			 Trading Fund Personnel 8,100 2,170 10,270 
			 
			 Sub total 52,260 29,490 81,750 
			 
			 Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA)(3) n/a n/a 2,340 
			 Locally engaged civilians(3) n/a n/a 13,640 
			 n/a = not available (1.)Data includes permanent and casual personnel employed by the Department, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Trading Funds and Locally engaged civilians. (2.)The Senior Civil Service was formed in 1996. The totals include about 50 personnel outside the Senior Civil Service but of equivalent grade. (3.)Gender data are not available for Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel and Locally engaged civilian personnel. (4.)All numbers are rounded to the nearest 10. Totals and sub-totals have been rounded separately and so may not equal the sum of their rounded parts  Source:  DASA (Quad Service)

RAF Fylingdales

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) UK and  (b) US personnel were employed at RAF Flyingdales in each year since 2002, broken down by employer.

Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 11 March 2003,  Official Report, column 181W, and 14 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1235W, to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker).
	As of 3 December 2007 the figures for RAF Fylingdales were: one US military personnel; 13 US contractors; 79 RAF personnel; 162 UK contractors; 105 Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency personnel and 37 UK civilian personnel work at the base.
	The number of personnel who worked at RAF Fylingdales in 2002, 2004 and 2005 is not available in the format requested.

Buildings: Cabinet Office

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 20 November,  Official Report, column 701W, on buildings: Cabinet Office, whether the database records figure separately for the Prime Minister's Offices.

Angela Eagle: The Electronic Property Information Mapping Service (e-PIMS) database does record figures separately for the Prime Minister's Offices.

Child Benefit: Personal Records

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the statement of 20 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 1110-18, on HM Revenue and Customs, how the password for the discs was transmitted by HM Revenue and Customs to the National Audit Office on each occasion that data was sent.

Jane Kennedy: The location of the missing data discs is the subject of an ongoing Police investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further. On 20 November, the Chancellor announced an independent review of HMRC's data handling procedures to be conducted by Kieran Poynter, chair of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
	The full terms of reference for that review are available on the HM Treasury website at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches/press/2007/press_133_07.cfm
	and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

Marginal Tax Rates

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of households which will experience marginal deduction rates of  (a) 70 per cent. and  (b) over 60 per cent. following the changes announced in Budget 2007.

Jane Kennedy: Estimates of the number of families facing marginal deduction rates above 60 per cent, under the 2008-09 tax and benefits system were published in the 2007 pre-Budget report and Comprehensive Spending Review, Table 5.2.

National Security: Finance

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will break down the UK's security budget for  (a) 2007-08,  (b) 2008-09 and  (c) 2009-10 by Government Department;
	(2)  how much of the UK's security budget for  (a) 2007-08,  (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10 is allocated to each aspect of the Government's national security activities;
	(3)  how much of the £2.25 billion security budget is devoted to supporting critical national infrastructure.

Andy Burnham: As part of CSR 2007, the Government announced a new single security and intelligence budget which brings together dedicated counter-terrorism and intelligence funding for the security and intelligence agencies, the police and all parts of Government responsible for addressing threat from terrorism.
	In 2007-08 single security and intelligence budget planned spending is £2.5 billion resource and capital. The provisional breakdown across departments is as follows:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 Security and Intelligence Agencies 1,508 
			 Home Office 811 
			 Foreign and Commonwealth Office 93 
			 Northern Ireland Office 68 
			 Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 61 
			 HM Revenue and Customs 47 
			 Ministry of Defence 38 
			 Communities, Local Government 22 
			 Department for Transport 12 
		
	
	Breaking down the new single budget by specific counter-terrorism and intelligence activities would reveal our capabilities and details of security and intelligence agencies spending beyond what is published already. It has been the policy of successive Governments not to reveal these details.
	The single security and intelligence budget will rise to £3.5 billion a year by 2010-11. The Government continue to assess the priorities and will publish such details as it can of spending plans for 2008-09 to 2010-11 in due course.

Working Tax Credits: EU Nationals

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many EU A8 nationals successfully applied for  (a) working tax credit and  (b) child tax credit in each year since the accession of the A8 nations; and how many of these had previously been in receipt of each such benefit.

Jane Kennedy: The Accession monitoring report, last published on 20 November 2007 on the Home Office Borders and Immigration Agency website
	http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/reports/accession_monitoring_report
	provides detailed information including the total number of workers from the new EU member states of the EU which acceded on 1 May 2004 and who have made claims for tax credits.
	The other information requested is not available.

Departmental Data Protection

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what reviews have been undertaken of his Department's rules on data protection in the last two years; if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the last review of his Department's compliance with data protection laws; and if  (a) his Department and  (b) his Department's agencies will undertake a review of their compliance with data protection laws;

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  on how many occasions the Information Commissioner was contacted by his Department to report breaches of data protection security in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many breaches of data protection security there have been in his Department or his Department's Agencies in each of the last five years; and if he will provide details of each breach.

Gareth Thomas: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007,  Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review.

Departmental Manpower

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many  (a) men and  (b) women of each Civil Service grade are employed by his Department.

Patrick McFadden: For the information you require, please refer to the 2006 Civil Service Statistics published by Office for National Statistics (ONS). Table H of the publication presents permanent employees by Department, responsibility level, ethnic origin and gender.
	As BERR only came into existence this year, you should refer to the then Department of Trade and Industry entry, which now forms the majority of the new Department. The following extract is as follows:
	
		
			  BERR (Department of Trade and Industry Statistics, which now forms the majority of the new Department ) 
			   White  Ethnic minority  Non-response   Ethnic minority as percentage of known ethnic origin 
			  Responsibility level  Male  Female  Male  Female  Male  Female  All employees  Male  Female 
			 SCS level 150 60 10 — 80 30 320 4.4 — 
			 Grades 6/7 750 350 50 40 290 170 1,650 6.0 9.8 
			 All other levels 2,560 2,880 460 650 930 880 8,340 15.1 18.3 
			 Unknown 0 0 0 0 — 0 — 0.0 0.0 
			 All employees 3,460 3,290 510 690 1,290 1,080 10,310 12.8 17.2 
			  Source: The 2006 Civil Service Statistics published by ONS.

Breast Feeding: Publicity

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department plans to provide in support of Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2008.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department plans to spend £275,000 on the National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, which will be held from 11 to 17 May 2008. In addition, the Department plans to continue and sustain the promotion of breastfeeding throughout the year.

Care Homes: Closures

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria are used to judge the performance of care homes; and how many  (a) care homes,  (b) residential homes and  (c) nursing homes were ordered to close in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 10 December 2007
	The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) is responsible, under the Care Standards Act 2000 and associated Regulations, including the Care Homes Regulations 2001, for the inspection and regulation of care and nursing homes. When inspecting care homes, CSCI must have regard to the national minimum standards, which were introduced in 2002.
	Data on care home closures prior to the establishment of CSCI in 2004 is not held centrally.
	All care and nursing homes are residential. We are informed by CSCI that homes are registered to provide personal care only or care with nursing. The numbers of homes that were ordered to close under Section 20 of the Care Standards Act 2000 in each of the last four inspection years, since the inception of CSCI, are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Homes ordered to close under Section 20 of the Care Standards Act 2000 
			  Period  Homes providing personal care  Homes providing care with nursing 
			 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005 5 0 
			 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 0 1 
			 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 3 0 
			 1 April 2007 to 7 December 2007 7 0

Child Health Interim Application

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 14 December 2006,  Official Report, column 1351W, on the Child Health Interim Application, whether the catch-up exercise has been completed; if he will place in the Library the options report; what updates his Ministers received at the end of January 2007; when the National Child Health Immunisation Board last met; and if he will make available the minutes of its meetings.

Dawn Primarolo: The catch-up exercise will be completed across the Child Health Interim Application (CHIA) primary care trusts (PCTs) by the end of March 2008.
	The "CHIA Option Appraisal Process—Final Report" has been placed in the Library.
	The former Minister of State for Health (Caroline Flint) was updated by officials on 29 January 2007 in relation to the National Immunisation Programme, data issues, specific COVER Data problems with regard to the 10 PCTs using CHIA, and the establishment of a National Child Health Immunisation Programme Board.
	The National Child Health Immunisation Board last met on 15 October 2007. The minutes of this meeting will be made available when they have been finalised.

Counter Fraud and Security Management Services Division

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Counter Fraud and Security Management Services Division recovered in fraud detected or prevented in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07; and what proportion these figures represented of the division's costs in each year.

Ann Keen: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			  £ 
			   2005-06  2006-07 
			 Counter fraud costs(1) 13,262,120 13,184,000 
			 Detection savings(2) 7,265,711 11,821,347 
			 Prevention savings 1,920,000 (3)(-)— 
			 Cash recoveries 1,448,619 2,035,814 
			  (4)27,750,000 
			 (1 )'Counter fraud costs' consist of the NHS Counter Fraud Service budget plus the Department's funding of civil proceedings. (2) 'Detection savings' equal losses that would otherwise have been sustained had fraud not been detected, calculated using the average duration of frauds of the same type. (3) 'Prevention savings' figures are produced through periodic measurement exercises. Exercises due to be carried out in 2008-09 will measure reduced losses in the period 2006-07 to 2007-08. (4 )Cash recoveries' include recoveries through settlement of ongoing civil proceedings (brought by the Department) against certain generic drugs companies.

Dental Services: Armed Forces

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the role of his Department is in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence in recruiting military dentists; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: It is the responsibility of the single services to recruit military dentist to fill established posts in the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. However, the Ministry of Defence and UK Departments of Health Partnership Board considers work force issues generally.

Departmental Manpower

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which teams across Whitehall worked on the review of social care funding announced by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill on 30 March 2006; how many people worked in each of those teams; and how many officials worked on the review.

Ivan Lewis: The Department has not quantified the work of the Comprehensive Spending Review Social Care Working Group. The allocation of personnel and staff hours varied according to the task at hand.

Departmental Manpower

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the review of social care funding group announced by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill on 30 March 2006 met; and whether the personnel of that group remained as announced by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill.

Ivan Lewis: The Department Comprehensive Spending Review Social Care Working Group, met four times in total during June, July, October and November 2006. Group membership remained largely as announced by the then former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Mr. Byrne) on 30 March, although some Departments chose to be more closely involved in discussions than others. Following ministerial changes in May 2006, I became chair of the group.

Diseases: Children

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change there has been in the incidence of  (a) diphtheria,  (b) tetanus,  (c) pertussis,  (d) haemophilus influenza type b,  (e) polio,  (f) meningitis C,  (g) measles,  (h) mumps,  (i) rubella and  (j) acellular pertussis amongst children in London in the last two years.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of cases of confirmed diphtheria, tetanus, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), poliomyelitis, meningococcal serogroup C (MenC), measles, mumps, rubella and clinically diagnosed pertussis in London children for the last two years for which data is available are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Disease  2005  2006 
			 Diphtheria(1) 0 0 
			 Tetanus(1) 0 0 
			 Pertussis(2) 36 53 
			 Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)(1) 4 6 
			 Poliomyelitis 0 0 
			 Meningococcal serogroup C (MenC)(1) 0 1 
			 Measles(1) 30 194 
			 Mumps(1) 217 55 
			 Rubella(1) 1 1 
			 (1 )Confirmed cases in children aged 0-14 years. (2) Notified cases in children aged 0-14 years.  Source: Health Protection Agency

General Practitioners: Wakefield

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs were practising in Wakefield constituency in  (a) 1997 and  (b) the latest year for which figures are available; and how many GP premises have been opened in Wakefield constituency since 1997.

Ann Keen: The information is not available in the format requested. However, information relating to the Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale primary care trusts (PCTs) has been set out in the following table. The Calderdale PCT is included in the 2006 data for comparability purposes as Calderdale and Kirklees were one health authority together in 1997.
	
		
			  General medical practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) by selected areas, as at 1997 and 2006 
			  Number (headcount) 
			1997  2006 
			 5J6 Calderdale PCT n/a 112 
			 5N2 Kirklees PCT n/a 250 
			 5N3 Wakefield District PCT n/a 234 
			 QDT Calderdale and Kirkless HA 304 n/a 
			 QDQ Wakefield Health Care 183 n/a 
			 n/a = data not available  Notes: 1. Data presented for organisations in existence in the specified years. 2. Data as at 1 October 1997 and 30 September 2006. 3. Calderdale PCT is included for comparability purposes with the former Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority  Source: The Information Centre for health and social care General and Personal Medical Services Statistics 
		
	
	Information relating to general practitioner premises which have opened in the Wakefield PCT area is not held centrally. This can instead be obtained direct from the PCT concerned.

HIV Infection: EC Countries

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on plans to increase the awareness of young people of the risk of catching HIV.

Dawn Primarolo: The Secretary of State (Alan Johnson) has not had any recent discussions with his European counterparts about HIV and young people. European health department officials, including the Department of Health, have considered the need for action to increase awareness of HIV in young people and other vulnerable groups through meetings of the European Commission's AIDS Think Tank. The last meeting was 15-16 November 2007.

Hospital Wards

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Nightingale wards were converted to modern accommodation in hospitals in England in each financial year since 1997-98 for which figures are available; and how many Nightingale wards there were in total in each financial year over the same period.

Ann Keen: Data is not collected centrally in the format requested.
	Information on the number of Nightingale wards is collected annually.
	In 2001, a one-off national health service estates survey found 1,115 Nightingale wards in use. Since then, data has been collected using the estates-related information collection, which reports the following numbers. Data submission is no longer mandatory and therefore information beyond 2005-06 has not been included. Data was not collected prior to 2001.
	
		
			  Total Nightingale wards in use 
			   Number 
			 2002-03 694 
			 2003-04 495 
			 2004-05 377 
			 2005-06 165 
		
	
	The data was collected from the NHS and then validated by NHS Estates.

Hospitals: Cleaning Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what guidance his Department gave to strategic health authorities to help them decide how much they should allocate for deep cleaning in 2007-08;
	(2)  from which part of strategic health authority budgets the money for deep cleaning announced on 21 November 2007 has been taken;
	(3)  by what date strategic health authorities will be expected to report progress across their regions on deep cleaning to his Department;
	(4)  by what date trusts will have to submit detailed deep cleaning plans, including costs, to their primary care trusts and strategic health authorities.

Ann Keen: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement by the Secretary of State for Health (Alan Johnson) on 21 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 134-35WS. In addition, copies of letters of 1 and 29 November 2007 from the Department to strategic health authorities giving further details on plans for deep cleaning have been placed in the Library.

Hospitals: Infectious Diseases

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department plans to spend in each year between 2007-08 and 2010-11 on  (a) MRSA and  (b) clostridium difficile screening for (i) elective patients and (ii) emergency admissions.

Ann Keen: Funding to support implementation of screening of all patients for meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus will be reflected in future primary care trust allocations. Our central assessment of the cost of screening all admitted patients for MRSA is £124 million per annum, but it is for local organisations to determine how to implement improvements to patient care, so actual spend will be based on local implementation decisions.
	Prompt testing of patients who develop diarrhoea is crucial but we have not made any commitments to introduce screening for Clostridium difficile because there is no evidence that it is clinical effective.

Hospitals: Infectious Diseases

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change there has been in the level of hospital-acquired infections since the introduction of subcontracting in hospital cleaning; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: Mandatory surveillance of health care associated infections was not introduced until 2001 but prevalence surveys of health care associated infections were undertaken in 1980, 1993 and 2006. There has been little change in the prevalence of hospital acquired infections overall over the last twenty years.
	The Conservative Government introduced compulsory competitive tendering in 1983, requiring the national health service to market test domestic cleaning, catering, and linen and laundry services on a regular basis. This Government lifted that requirement in 2000 and trusts must now benchmark their services before deciding whether to market test.
	Current guidance on contracting for cleaning makes it clear that quality must be considered alongside cost when deciding how to provide cleaning services. Recent information suggests that there is currently no difference between in-house and out- sourced cleaning in terms of standards and outcomes.

Hospitals: Infectious Diseases

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the £130 million his Department was allocated in the comprehensive spending review for the introduction of MRSA screening for all patients, increased powers for matrons and tougher regulation on infection control by  (a) financial year and  (b) anti-infection measure on which this money will be spent.

Ann Keen: The £130 million announced in the comprehensive spending review 2007 was for the introduction of Meticillin resistant  Staphylococcus aureus screening for all patients. Primary care trusts are responsible for delivering improvements to patient care, so actual spend will be based on local decisions. Further details on implementation of this commitment will be included in the 'Healthcare Associated Infections and Cleanliness Strategy' which we will be publishing in early 2008.

Hospitals: Infectious Diseases

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason his Department has  (a) made a commitment to screen patients for MRSA on admission to hospital, and  (b) not made a commitment to screen patients for healthcare associated infections other than MRSA.

Ann Keen: This commitment is based on evidence that screening admitted patients for meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus can reduce infection rates. Equivalent data are not available for other infections. In relation to Clostridium difficile infection specifically, expert advice is that screening of asymptomatic patients is unnecessary.

Influenza

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of all representations received in response to his Department's national framework for responding to an influenza pandemic; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The draft version of "Pandemic Flu: A national framework for responding to an influenza pandemic" was issued for public discussion and comments were reflected in the final version issued in November. We are not planning to include the representations in the Library.

Influenza: Disease Control

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what information is being made available on the use of  (a) anti-viral drugs,  (b) facemasks and  (c) stocking of home supplies in consequence of Exercise Winter Willow; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on progress in the development of a strategy for the operational aspects of anti-viral allocation as a consequence of any future influenza pandemic;
	(3)  what steps are being taken to consider the prioritisation of  (a) anti-viral drugs,  (b) vaccines and  (c) antibiotics in the event of a shortage of supply caused by any future influenza pandemic; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the  (a) costs and  (b) benefits of a national stockpile of (i) masks and (ii) antibiotics for health professionals in preparation for any future influenza pandemic; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what steps are being taken to ensure that the continuity of supply of  (a) anti-viral stocks,  (b) masks and  (c) antibiotics in the event of any future influenza pandemic; and if he will make a statement;
	(6)  what assessment he has made of the impact of increased demand for countermeasures against an influenza pandemic on the supply of  (a) masks and  (b) antibiotics; what steps he is taking to ensure that supply meets demand in the event of an outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Vaccines, antivirals, antibiotics and facemasks are a key part of the Government response to pandemic influenza. The Government approach to the stockpiling and distribution of these countermeasures is covered in the "National Framework for responding to an influenza pandemic", published on 22 November 2007. The lessons learned from Exercise Winter Willow have been published on the Cabinet Office website.
	Stockpiling of clinical countermeasures is essential to ensure the continuity of supply and that demand can be met. For example, there is already a stockpile of antivirals sufficient to treat the United Kingdom's population up to a clinical attack rate of 25 per cent. The Government are planning to double the stock of antivirals, to cover at least half the population. We will continue to keep the level of stock under review in light of the scientific evidence, as we develop our business case. The Government also has a stockpile of 3.3 million doses of H5N1 pre-pandemic vaccine for health care workers. The science underpinning the further development and potential use of pre-pandemic vaccine is cutting-edge and has just been reviewed by UK and international experts. We are actively considering their findings and the implications for our policy to inform future decisions.
	The antivirals stockpile should be adequate to treat all those who fall ill in a pandemic of similar proportions to previous ones in the 20th century but we recognise that some prioritisation will be necessary if the attack or consumption rates are higher than anticipated. Antiviral prioritization has been considered with the Committee on Ethical Aspects of Pandemic Influenza, but final decisions can only be made when the pandemic emerges.
	To be effective, antiviral medicines need to be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptom. A National Flu Line Service is being developed to enable timely distribution. On contacting the Flu Line Service, a clinical algorithm will be used to assess a caller's symptoms and determine whether or not they are eligible for antiviral treatment and/or need further care or treatment by a clinician. We are making use of and building upon normal delivery systems by asking NHS Direct, who already provide contact-centre based assessment and triage to callers, to lead on the development of the National Flu Line Service. We are engaging with other stakeholders on its development, including the NHS, independent contractors, and other existing contact centre services. Consultation on legal changes necessary to facilitate this system went out alongside the National Framework. The National Framework and its supporting guidance, will help trusts create effective local systems for coordinating the operational aspects of antiviral allocation with local partners prior to a pandemic occurring.
	The Government are already making progress with work on the business case for facemasks to be made available to healthcare and social care workers during a pandemic and plans to purchase 34 million disposable respirators and 350 million surgical face masks for the use of health and social care workers in the event of a pandemic. The National Framework, advises other employers to seek information on their obligations under health and safety legislation and to carry out local risk assessments to determine whether employees should be provided with facemasks. Stockpiling facemasks for use by the general public is not currently planned. Although the available medical evidence does not support the use of face masks in all settings, we recognise that the public may want to have access to face masks for their personal use. The Government will explore the approach that retailers are planning to adopt when stocking face masks for sale to the public.
	Exercise Winter Willow identified that there may be problems with managing the surge in demand for antibiotics. The range of antibiotics needed to treat bacterial complications arising from pandemic influenza has been identified and published in the form of Clinical Management Guidelines. Building on this, the Government plan to procure 14.7 million treatment courses of antibiotics to treat and prevent the complications arising from pandemic flu. That stockpile will enable us to give antibiotics to vulnerable symptomatic flu patients, such as those with chronic conditions and the elderly, in advance of the development of secondary complications, and to treat others in the community if they develop complications. The antibiotics will also be used in hospitals to treat the sickest patients and may reduce the length of hospitalisation. The procurement of both antivirals and antibiotics will be subject to emerging scientific evidence and to normal commercial procurement procedures to ensure that we purchase those products at the best price, and achieve value for money for the taxpayer.
	This summer, Advance Purchase Agreements for pandemic specific vaccine were signed with GlaxoSmithKline and Baxter. These guarantee a supply of vaccine for the UK population as soon as the vaccine becomes available after the onset of the pandemic; decisions about vaccination strategies will only be made once the clinical impact of the disease becomes known. All decisions on prioritisation will take scientific and ethical issues fully into account.
	Public consultation and information is at the heart of the Government's planning. The Government will be testing the public's reactions to many issues in pandemic planning and decision-making and gauge the level of information on specific issues, including the use of clinical countermeasures. Work continues on the design of a public engagement programme to facilitate this process, with the active participation of the public.

Influenza: Disease Control

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps are being taken to  (a) strengthen and  (b) codify links with international bodies in consequence of Exercise Winter Willow; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with the Irish government in consequence of the Exercise Winter Willow programme in the preparations for a potential influenza pandemic; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: We have taken steps to codify and strengthen our links at international level by engaging with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) at official level via regular international conferences, meetings, and ongoing exchanges of information about pandemic planning.
	The United Kingdom is also represented at official level at conferences organised by the European Union, the WHO and ECDC and has been at the forefront of pushing for greater international collaboration and engagement in planning for and responding to a possible influenza outbreak as a result of the lessons learned during Exercise Winter Willow.
	Since Exercise Winter Willow took place, officials from the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety have met on two occasions with their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland to ensure consistent and robust pandemic influenza contingency planning.

Influenza: Disease Control

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the role of the Scientific Advisory Group in the event of any future influenza pandemic.

Dawn Primarolo: The role of the Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) on pandemic influenza both before and during a pandemic will be to advise the United Kingdom's Government on scientific matters relating to the health response to an influenza pandemic and help in keeping the Government informed of any new developments in science and research. It is envisaged that this will mainly happen via temporary sub-groups of the SAG working on specific questions. Members may also be called upon individually to act as advisers and to provide advice on matters arising on which the member's particular expertise may be of assistance.
	The SAG is currently in the process of being revised. This involves, among others, extending its membership to include a wider range of expertises.

Influenza: Disease Control

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the potential  (a) use and  (b) effectiveness of the internet as a mechanism for communicating with the public during any future influenza pandemic; what measures will be used to ensure effective communication with those who do not possess a connection to the internet; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will place a copy of the communication strategy identifying the best channels of communication with the public during any future pandemic influenza outbreak in the Library; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  if he will provide an update on the development of protocols for effective sharing of national communications messages for  (a) local and  (b) regional use as a consequence of exercise winter willow; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the improvement in public understanding of pandemic  (a) risk and  (b) policy as a consequence of exercise winter willow; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what progress has been made on the production of a clear and agreed script for use in communications during any future influenza pandemic; and if he will make a statement;
	(6)  for what reasons the role of the National News Co-ordination Centre in co-ordinating messages across Departments was not tested as part of exercise winter willow; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: In spring 2007 the Department carried out targeted public engagement research to explore public understanding of specific elements of the "Pandemic Influenza; draft National Framework for responding to an influenza pandemic". The findings from this research have been incorporated into the "2007 Pandemic Flu—National Framework for responding to an influenza pandemic" published on 22 November. A more comprehensive public engagement programme, commencing in early 2008 will provide a detailed assessment of the public's understanding of the Government's assessment of pandemic risks and policies.
	Conveying accurate, timely, consistent and credible advice and information to the public (including hard to reach groups), professions and business is a major strand of the Government's pandemic preparedness strategy.
	Communication was an important part of exercise winter willow and a wide range of Government Department and agency communicators took part in the exercise.
	The News Co-ordination Centre operated as part of the exercise control in the exercise and played an integral role in ensuring that communications was tested at all levels of the exercise and was represented at all of the meetings during the exercise.
	The lessons from the winter willow exercise—which have been published on the United Kingdom Resilience website—and the spring 2007 public engagement programme have been used in the development of draft communications scripts should the World Health Organisation (WHO) declare a pandemic. These scripts will be further researched and pre-tested as part of the comprehensive public engagement strategy.
	The research findings from the public engagement programme will also be used to refine the Government's pandemic influenza communications preparedness strategy. This strategy will need to be adaptable to reflect specific situations and pandemic scenarios. The draft strategy will be available in spring 2008.
	The communications strategy, currently being developed, will provide advice, information and campaign material to the widest possible audience, and will use a diverse and comprehensive range of communications channels including; digital, print and broadcasting advertising campaigns, a national door drop leaflet and a national flu information line.
	One of the objectives of the planned public engagement programme is to ascertain what communications channels including digital media are required to effectively engage with the public prior to and during a pandemic.
	A copy of the communications strategy will be made available to the Library after the public engagement programme has started.
	The Department will inform the Cabinet Office, the health departments of Devolved Administrations and the Health Protection Agency should the WHO declare a pandemic or update threat assessments. The Cabinet Office will alert other Government Departments and work with the Department to develop, update and circulate top line briefings via the Government News Co-ordination Centre. The Department will also alert health and social care organisations and professions in England through strategic health authorities and via the chief medical officer's established public health mechanism. Similar arrangements are in place within the devolved administrations.

Influenza: Disease Control

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what definition his Department used of business as usual as part of Exercise Winter Willow; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  when he anticipates publishing guidance on business continuity for health services during any potential influenza pandemic; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what guidance has been provided to ambulance services as part of the UK Framework for Responding to an Influenza Pandemic; what mechanisms exist to deploy ambulances on the basis of urgent medical treatment; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Information included in the draft national framework for responding to an influenza pandemic, issued in March 2007, was used to inform the planning for Exercise Winter Willow. The draft national framework outlined the United Kingdoms' planning presumptions, including those areas where we would intend to maintain business as usual as far as practicable.
	Guidance on preparing acute hospitals, guidance for primary care trusts and primary care professionals on the provision of health care in the community setting, and guidance for ambulance services and their staff was issued for public discussion in March this year. The final guidance was published alongside the 'National framework for responding to an influenza pandemic' on 22 November. They all contain contingency advice for planners. Draft guidance on preparing mental health services was also issued for public comment alongside the 'National framework'.
	The Department has also published guidance for ambulance services alongside the final version of the 'National framework for responding to an influenza pandemic'.
	The Ambulance Service has in place a scripted call handling system that identifies priority cases in order to respond to the needs of patients' clinical requirements.

Influenza: Disease Control

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in reviewing the reporting template for the collection of data as a consequence of Exercise Winter Willow; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: It is assumed that the "reporting template for the collection of data" referred to in the question is the United Kingdom pandemic influenza main health report from the Department to Cabinet Office, a situation report for MICS32/COBRA.
	In follow-up to exercise Winter Willow, a working group representing the main stakeholders has reviewed and adjusted the reporting template. The revised template is currently being assessed to ensure that it addresses the issues raised during Winter Willow.

Influenza: Disease Control

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the involvement of the voluntary sector in planning preparations for any future influenza pandemic; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the discussions he has had with national voluntary agencies on issues relating to any future influenza pandemic.

Dawn Primarolo: The voluntary sector is a critical partner and has been engaged in planning preparations at both the national and local level. In May of this year, Department officials met with voluntary sector organisations to discuss key issues, including how best the voluntary sector can help to respond to a pandemic; key roles will include supporting those that would normally use their services, but also those who become more or temporarily vulnerable in the event of a pandemic. These discussions in turn contributed to the updating of the 'National framework for responding to an influenza pandemic' and the supporting guidance documents. Localities are also engaging with the voluntary sector, and are encouraged—through the national framework and supporting guidance—to involve voluntary organisations in planning preparations from an early stage.

Lighting: Health Hazards

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the health implications for people with light sensitivity of banning the sale of incandescent light bulbs.

Ann Keen: No assessment has been made. The Government are aware of the need to consider health implications in the event of incandescent light bulbs being phased out and my colleague the Secretary of State for the Environment and Rural Affairs is working to ensure that there are mechanisms in place to ensure that people have access to appropriate lighting.

Meningitis: Research

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Government have allocated to research into meningitis since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: Over the last ten years, the main part of the Department's total expenditure on health research has been devolved to and managed by national health service organisations. Details of individual NHS supported research projects including a number concerned with meningitis are available on the national research register at www.nrr.nhs.uk.
	The Department's expenditure on relevant national research programme projects during this time has been:
	
		
			   £000 
			 1997-98 327 
			 1998-99 926 
			 1999-2000 690 
			 2000-01 232 
			 2001-02 25 
			 2002-03 118 
			 2003-04 411 
			 2004-05 361 
			 2005-06 111 
			 2006-07 255 
		
	
	The Health Protection Agency has since 1997 carried out research funded by the Department into vaccines against meningitis B and C (pneumococcocal meningitis and haemophilus influenzae B meningitis). This includes conducting clinical trials on new vaccines for the United Kingdom schedule, the ongoing evaluation of vaccines already in the schedule, and the development of a new meningitis B vaccine. The total cost of this research has been £10.5 million.
	The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the main agencies through which the Government supports medical and clinical research. The MRC is an independent body which receives its grant-in-aid from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
	Available MRC spend figures for research on meningitis are as follows:
	
		
			   £000 
			 2000-01 861 
			 2001-02 458 
			 2002-03 478 
			 2003-04 571 
			 2004-05 393 
			 2005-06 128 
		
	
	Earlier comparable figures are not available

National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence: Cost Effectiveness

Desmond Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  on how many occasions his Department has requested that the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence review its economic model for determining cost-effectiveness in technology appraisals;
	(2)  what guidance his Department has issued to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the remit of its review of economic models for determining cost-effectiveness in technology appraisals;
	(3)  whether the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence proposes to review its economic model for determining cost-effectiveness in technology appraisals.

Dawn Primarolo: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE) methods in appraising health technologies are a matter for the Institute.
	NICE'S guidance development processes are subject to periodic review, which includes public consultation. NICE is currently carrying out a scheduled review of its technology appraisal methods guide and has published a draft methods guide that has been developed following a series of workshops with stakeholders. The draft methods guide is now subject to a three-month public consultation closing on 29 February 2008.
	These consultations are part of NICE'S routine process for ensuring that there is transparency in the way it conducts its work, and that stakeholders have a chance to feed in their views.

NHS: Finance

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 24 October 2007,  Official Report, column 388W, on NHS: finance, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the increase in the number of part IX prescriptions dispensed since April 2006.

Dawn Primarolo: No specific assessment has been made as to the reasons for the increase in the number of Part IX prescriptions dispensed since April 2006. However, between June 2006 and June 2007 the volume of Part IX prescriptions increased by 4.1 per cent. compared with a general prescription growth of 4.6 per cent. for the same period.

NHS: Managers

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average wage was for each NHS management grade in  (a) the latest period for which figures are available and  (b) 1997.

Ann Keen: Due to the very substantial modernisation of national health service pay systems since 1997 comparisons are not straightforward.
	The average wage of each NHS management grade cannot be calculated because we do not have figures for the number of managers in each grade, only total number of NHS managers across a number of different pay grading system.
	Managers and senior managers in 1997 would generally have been on a variety of pay scales, including Whitley Council admin and clerical, typically on grade 6 and upward, and senior manger pay (SMP) grades, typically band 30 and upward. These are set out as follows:
	
		
			  A and C grades 6 to 10 
			   Grade 
			   6  7  8  9  10 
			  From 1 April 1997  
			 Minimum 16,312 19,848 24,146 28,248 33,048 
			 Maximum 19,085 23,219 27,163 31,777 37,175 
			   
			  From 1 December 1997  
			 Minimum 16,520 20,101 24,453 28,608 33,469 
			 Maximum 19,328 23,515 27,509 32,182 37,648 
		
	
	 General and senior managers
	National pay rates for general and senior managers in place during 1997 are set out in the tables:
	
		
			  General and senior managers in regional and district health authorities 
			   Group  Range (£) 
			 Region Regional general manager 56,350-81,410 
			
			 District Group 1 50,710-73,240 
			  Group 2 47,890-69,180 
			  Group 3 43,820-63,540 
			
			 Unit Group 1 43,820-63,540 
			  Group 2 38,500-55,720 
			  Group 3 34,740-50,400 
			  Group 4 30,060-43,510 
		
	
	
		
			  General and senior managers in post-graduate special health authorities 
			  Group  Range (£) 
			 National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery 43,820-63,540 
			 Eastman Dental Hospital 43,820-63,540 
		
	
	
		
			  Family health services authority general manager 
			  Group  Range (£) 
			 General Manager 1 43,820-63,540 
			 General Manager 2 38,500-55,720 
			 General Manager 3 34,740-50,400 
		
	
	
		
			  Senior managers pay grades 
			  Spine point  Flat rate salary (£) 
			 1 (max) 48,820 
			 30 (min) 15,650 
		
	
	Managers and senior managers in 2007 would be on a combination of Agenda for Change, typically band 5 to 9, and Very Senior Managers Pay Framework rates. These are set out as follows.
	Very Senior Managers' Pay Framework only covers strategic health authorities, special health authorities, primary care trusts and ambulance trusts. NHS trusts, including mental health trusts and foundation trusts, are not covered by the framework.
	
		
			  Agenda for Change grades 5 to 9 
			   Grade 
			   5  6  7  8 (8A to 8D)  9 
			  1 April 2007  
			 Minimum 19,454 23,230 28,036 35,760 70,974 
			 Maximum 25,175 31,469 36,962 74,381 89,723 
			   
			  1 November 2007  
			 Minimum 19,683 23,458 28,313 36,112 71,646 
			 Maximum 25,424 31,779 37,326 75,114 90,607 
		
	
	 Very Senior Managers' Pay Framework
	There is a "Pay framework for Very Senior Managers in Strategic and Special Health Authorities, Primary Care Trusts and Ambulance Trusts". April 2007 rates of pay are published in the Framework, copies of which are available in the Library.

NHS: Pay

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what 10 highest salaries were paid by the NHS were in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: The Department does not collect information on individual's salaries across the national health service.
	There is a 'Pay framework for very senior managers in strategic and special health authorities, primary care trusts and ambulance trusts'. April 2007 rates of pay are published in the framework, copies of which are available in the Library.
	NHS trusts, including mental health and foundation trusts, are not covered by the framework, but are free to adopt its principles.

Patients: Nutrition

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the evidential basis is for the statement on page 19 of his Department's document, Improving Nutritional Care, that hospital food is now better than at any time since measurement began; in what ways the quality of hospital food is measured; when measurement began; and if he will list the results of these measurements for each year since measurement began.

Ann Keen: The statement that hospital food is now better than at any time since measurement began is based on the results of Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) assessments. These assessments commenced in 2002 and the results are published annually. The areas considered in the PEAT assessment have varied over the years, but have always included a core of questions related to the quality, availability and choice and temperature of food and beverages. The following tables show the PEAT scores for England from 2002-07; the scoring system changed in 2004 from three to five points.
	
		
			   Green (good)  Percentage  Yellow (acceptable)  Percentage  Red (poor)  Percentage 
			 Summer 2002 118 17 554 81 14 2 
			 Summer 2003 372 43.7 479 56.3 0 0. 
		
	
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   Excellent  Good  Acceptable  Poor  Unacceptable 
			 2004 8.18 50.35 34.68 6.78 0 
			 2005 32.4.3 51.5 14.8 1.3 0 
			 2006 33.8 57.8 8.3 0.1 0 
			 2007 46.3 48.5 4.5 0.5 0 
			  Source: National Patient Safety Agency

Prescriptions

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress the Information Centre for Health and Social Care has made in its project analysing patterns of prescribing and compliance with National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines, as stated on the Our Priorities for 2007-08 section of the Information Centre's website; whether the Information Centre provides a  (a) data and  (b) analytical service to any bodies other than NICE on prescribing behaviours; whether data on prescribing behaviours are made available at (i) doctor, (ii) practice and (iii) primary care trust level; whether the Information Centre has extended its data and analytical service to information on dispensing; what plans the Information Centre has to increase the (A) scope of and (B) availability of access to data on prescribing; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Information Centre for health and Social Care (IC) provides a data and analytical service that enables National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) systematically to analyse prescribing behaviours in the context of their guidelines. This work has been integrated as a routine business service to NICE.
	The IC also provides on request prescribing data from the prescribing cost analysis database and from a national edition of the ePACT system. Information from these sources is also made available to a wide range of bodies via its website.
	Some prescribing data is available at primary care trust level, but not at doctor or practice level.
	There is a project underway, led by the IC, to obtain data on a sample of practices to estimate the proportion of prescriptions which are not dispensed.
	The IC is currently reviewing which data on prescribing should be made available in the future.

Screening: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much additional funding has been allocated for each year from 2007-08 to 2010-11 to  (a) extend the breast cancer screening age range to women aged between 43 and 73 years,  (b) extend the age limit for bowel cancer screening to 75 years,  (c) ensure that all patients will be receiving appointments with a specialist within two weeks for breast problems,  (d) ensure that all cervical screening results will be available within 14 days and  (e) increase the number of matrons to 5,000;
	(2)  by what date he expects that  (a) all patients will be receiving appointments with a specialist within two weeks for breast problems,  (b) all cervical screening results will be available within 14 days,  (c) breast cancer screening will be fully extended to all women between the ages of 43 and 73 years and  (d) the number of matrons have reached 5,000.

Ann Keen: In September, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister announced proposals for cancer services, extending the breast cancer screening age range to women aged between 47 and 73, extending the age limit for bowel cancer screening to 75 years, ensuring that all patients will be receiving appointments with a specialist within two weeks for breast problems and ensuring that all cervical screening results will be available within 14 days, and proposals to increase the number of matrons to 5,000 to help tackle healthcare-associated infections.
	The Cancer Reform Strategy was published on 3 December and is available in the Library. It sets out the future direction of cancer services in England over the next five years. The strategy provides further information on the commitments made by the Prime Minister. We anticipate there being 5,000 matrons in post by May 2008.
	Allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs) provide them with funding to deliver all local and national priorities, and are not broken down into the cost of delivering individual commitments. The cost of delivering individual commitments will depend on local decisions on implementation.

Slimming: Finance

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which slimming clubs the Government is employing to help reduce obesity; how much has been paid to them to date; and what estimate has been made of the number of people who have  (a) used their services and  (b) lost weight as a result of doing so.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government do not employ any slimming clubs to help reduce obesity. It is up to local areas to decide the best types of treatments to provide for their own populations, in line with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance on the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults and children.

Smoking: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much was  (a) allocated to and  (b) spent by primary care trusts for stop smoking services in each of the last five financial years for which figures are available;
	(2)  how much his Department plans to allocate to primary care trusts for stop smoking services in each year from 2007-08 to 2010-11.

Dawn Primarolo: The amounts separately identified in primary care trusts (PCTs) initial resource limit allocations for the national health service stop smoking services are as follows:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2003-04 41 
			 2004-05 46 
			 2005-06 51 
			 2006-07 51 
			 2007-08 51 
		
	
	In addition, the 2006-07 and 2007-08 revenue allocations to PCTs separately identify funding to support the implementation of the 'Choosing Health' White Paper. For the two years covered by this allocation, £10 million is separately identified nationally to further support the provision of NHS stop smoking services, with the majority of the funding directed towards Spearhead PCTs.
	Revenue allocations are made to PCTs which then decide how to use the funding. The Department does not centrally collect information on local spend by PCT for NHS stop smoking services.
	Revenue allocations to PCTs post 2007-08 are to be determined. As set out in a written statement by my hon. Friend Mr. Bradshaw on 22 November 2007,  Official Report, column 145WS, there is to be a one-year allocation for 2008-09.

Crime

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many offences were recorded per 1,000 population in England and Wales in each year since 1997,  (a) in total,  (b) of violence against the person,  (c) of sexual offences,  (d) of robbery, burglary, theft and handling stolen goods,  (e) of fraud,  (f) of criminal damage and  (g) of other notifiable offences, broken down by police force area;
	(2)  how many  (a) violent crime offences,  (b) car crime offences,  (c) robberies,  (d) burglaries,  (e) thefts and  (f) criminal damage offences there were per 1,000 head of population in each police force area in England and Wales in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: Data broken down by police force area for these offences are available from 2001-02 and are given in tables. Copies will be placed in the House Library.
	As a result of the findings of two independent reviews of crime statistics in 2006, a number of changes have been made to the classifications of offences. Therefore all of the offence categories shown are based on the new classifications. Providing data for earlier years, where the requested data is not held on an electronic database, would entail disproportionate cost.

Human Trafficking

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make it her policy to establish safe houses to which trafficked children discovered by police may be conducted.

Vernon Coaker: Any child found by the police whom they consider to be at risk of harm, are referred to local authority children services who have a statutory duty under the 1989 Children Act to ensure that their safeguarding and welfare needs are addressed.
	As part of its action plan on tackling human trafficking, the Government will be shortly publishing their proposals for enhancing the provision of safe and sensitive arrangements for the care and protection of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, some of whom may have been trafficked.

Police: Ethnic Groups

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of police force recruits were  (a) men,  (b) women,  (c) black and minority ethnic men and  (d) black and minority ethnic women in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 4 December 2007
	The requested data are for police officers joiners, and are published annually in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin series "Police Service Strength, England and Wales" which are available online and in the Library of the House.
	The available data are given in the following table.
	
		
			  Proportion( 1)  of police officer joiners( 2)  by gender and ethnicity( 3)  as at 31 March 1998-2007 
			  Percentage 
			  Date as at 31 March  Male  Female  Minority ethnic male  Minority ethnic female 
			 1998 73.2 26.8 n/a n/a 
			 1999 74.2 25.8 n/a n/a 
			 2000 72.3 27.7 n/a n/a 
			 2001 73.5 26.5 n/a n/a 
			 2002 73.2 26.8 n/a n/a 
			 2003 75.6 24.4 n/a n/a 
			 2004 69.8 30.2 5.0 1.5 
			 2005 67.8 32.2 4.0 1.8 
			 2006 67.4 32.6 3.7 1.7 
			 2007 65.2 34.8 4.0 1.9 
			 n/a = not available (1) Based on full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding, there may be an apparent discrepancy between the totals and the sums of constituent items. (2) Joiners include transfers from other England and Wales forces, but does not include those officers returning after a period of secondment. (3) Minority ethnic officers only, does not include those officers whose ethnicity is listed as "not stated". Ethnicity data are not available prior to 2003/04.

Telephone Tapping

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations are entitled to access data on telephone calls made in the UK.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 12 November 2007
	 Public authorities able to obtain communications data using the provisions of section 22 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 are set out in section 25(1) of that Act and in orders made under section 25(1 )(g).
	Those orders are the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) Order 2003 (Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 3172), the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Amendment) Order 2005 (Statutory Instrument 2005 No. 1083) and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Additional Functions and Amendment) Order 2006 (Statutory Instrument 2006 No. 1878).
	In relation to telephone calls, communications data includes information about the use of telephone services, such as billing records, and about the users of services, such as identifying the subscriber of a telephone number and their address. It excludes the content of phone calls and what individuals say or what data they pass on. Lawful interception of communications content can be authorised only by a warrant issued by the Secretary of State under section 5 of the 2000 Act or in other very specific circumstances permitted by sections 3 and 4 of that Act.

Mortgages

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of how many and what proportion of first time buyers took out mortgages of 100 per cent. or more of the purchase price of the property in each year for which figures are available from 1997 to 2005.

Iain Wright: Data on first time buyers (FTBs) using a mortgage is available from the regulated mortgage survey which is supplied to communities and local government by the Council of Mortgage Lenders. As the survey is a sample, data on the exact number of FTBs is unavailable from this source. However we can derive proportions from the survey and applying these to the total number of FTBs in the UK, as published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders, we can estimate the numbers.
	he number and proportion of first-time buyers in the UK that took out mortgages on a home to the value of 100 per cent or more is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number and proportion of FTBs that took out mortgages of 100 per cent or more of the value of the property, UK 
			   Number  Proportion (percentage) 
			 1997 43,300 8.6 
			 1998 34,400 6.6 
			 1999 38,900 6.6 
			 2000 37,000 7.4 
			 2001 36,200 6.4 
			 2002 51,600 9.7 
			 2003 16,300 4.4 
			 2004 30,900 8.6 
			 2005 35,100 9.4 
			  Sources:  Regulated Mortgage Survey and the Council of Mortgage Lenders

Angling

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he plans to implement the recommendations in the Net Benefits report on the development of the UK's Recreational Sea Angling sector, in particular the recommendation that bass be considered as a recreational species.

Jonathan R Shaw: Our plans to take forward the recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report "Net Benefits" concerned with inshore fisheries in England including Recreational Sea Angling, were addressed in Defra's "Charting a New Course". These publications are available in the Library of the House.
	These plans included a commitment to consult on measures to increase the number and size of sea bass available to benefit both recreational anglers and commercial fishermen. My decision not to increase the minimum landing size of bass was announced on 25 October. This announcement included a number of other measures to benefit bass stocks and recreational sea angling in general.

Angling

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2007,  Official Report, column 860W, on angling, for what reason he did not launch a consultation on the draft Recreational Sea Angling Strategy in November 2007; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2007,  Official Report, column 860W, on angling, on what date the final draft of the draft Recreational Sea Angling Strategy was approved for publication for consultation; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  for what reasons the draft Recreational Sea Angling Strategy was not published for consultation between January and March; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what factors he took into account when deciding the date on which to announce the recreational sea angling strategy; and which bodies he consulted while formulating the strategy.

Jonathan R Shaw: The draft Recreational Sea Angling Strategy was developed with representatives from the following organisations:
	National Federation of Sea Anglers
	National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations
	Department for Culture Media and Sports
	Bass Anglers Sportfishing Society
	Sea Anglers Conservation Network
	Eastern Sea Fisheries Joint Committee
	Sussex Sea Fisheries Committee
	Shellfish Association of Great Britain
	Natural England
	Environment Agency
	CEFAS
	Marine and Fisheries Agency
	It was endorsed by DEFRA's Inshore Fisheries Working Group on 23 March 2007 and on 3 December 2007. I approved the draft strategy for publication. My priority in relation to sea angling was to make a decision on an increased minimum landing size for bass. I announced my decision on this on 25 October after which I launched a consultation on the draft Recreational Sea Angling Strategy on 6 December, six days later than planned. The closing date for comments is 31 March 2008. A copy of the strategy has been placed in the Library of the House.

Bluetongue Disease

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many  (a) new farms confirmed bluetongue infection and  (b) farms were declared free of bluetongue in each of the last four weeks.

Jonathan R Shaw: The number of confirmed cases of bluetongue in each of the last four weeks is as follows:
	
		
			  Week commencing  Premises 
			 12 November 2 
			 19 November 1 
			 26 November (1)0 
			 (1) No new cases confirmed 
		
	
	As of 3 December, there have been 66 confirmed premises affected by bluetongue since the first case was confirmed on 28 September. None of these premises have yet been confirmed to be free of the disease. However, in the case of bluetongue, restrictions are lifted on the premises after the veterinary inquiry, and only the area restrictions relating to the protection and surveillance zones remain in place. Cases of bluetongue currently remain contained to the east and south-eastern parts of England, but, since disease is transmitted by midges, there is no use in restricting the individual premises.

Bluetongue Disease: Disease Control

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Government allocated to research and development of inactive bluetongue vaccines in each of the last three years; and how much has been allocated for research in each of then next three years.

Jonathan R Shaw: The research, development and production of bluetongue vaccine is a lucrative commercial proposition and there are a number of private companies involved in this process, so there is no need for the Government to carry out such research. We have issued a tender to those companies to supply between 10 and 20 million doses of vaccine which set out the technical specifications we expect a vaccine to meet.
	This tender was based on the advice of experts at the Institute of Animal Health, which carries out general research into bluetongue, and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). These experts have also been assessing the three bids received. It will be a condition of any order for vaccine that the VMD issue it with a marketing authorisation confirming that it is effective and safe for use.

Bluetongue Disease: Disease Control

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of individual vaccines required to control the outbreak of bluetongue at present levels of infection; and to which animals the vaccines would be applied.

Jonathan R Shaw: We have tendered for 10 to 20 million doses to ensure that the bank will be adaptable to a range of circumstances. Discussions on anticipated demand for vaccine are currently underway with the farming industry and we expect to place a firm order for vaccine very shortly.
	We are currently developing a detailed vaccination plan with scientific experts on bluetongue, the farming industry and others which will address questions such as the species to be vaccinated. However, it is likely that all domestic susceptible species, for example, cattle, sheep, goats, farmed deer, camelids and zoo ruminants, in a given area would be eligible for vaccination. Although it would be impractical to attempt to vaccinate wild susceptible species, such as wild deer.

Bluetongue Disease: Disease Control

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the current cost is of individual vaccinations against bluetongue; how widely available the vaccine is; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: We have tendered for 10 to 20 million doses to ensure that the bank will be adaptable to a range of circumstances. We are currently assessing the bids submitted and we expect to make a firm order very soon. This process of assessment and negotiation with the vaccine producing companies is establishing the likely cost of vaccination.
	In keeping with the principles set out in the Bluetongue Control Strategy, which was developed in partnership with the farming industry, livestock keepers will be offered the opportunity to purchase vaccine from the bank. EU law limits vaccination to the Protection Zone. However, we will keep under review with the industry whether to extend that zone to permit vaccination to take place in a wider area once a vaccine is available in early summer.

Fisheries: Quotas

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether he plans to implement a Quota Management Change Programme without Scotland's participation; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether he plans to resume discussions with the devolved administrations on the Quota Management Change Programme; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Following the Scottish Executive's withdrawal from the Quota Management Change Programme, DEFRA and the devolved administrations are currently considering how to take forward work on quota management reform flowing from the change programme, and any other measures that might be necessary. As soon as this has been decided I will make an announcement.

Fisheries: Quotas

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether he plans to alter the proportion of 2008 quota received by the  (a) producer organisations,  (b) 10 metre and under fleet and  (c) non-sector compared to the allocation for 2007; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what he estimates to be an appropriate amount of quota for the 10 metre and under fleet for each fish stock; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  when he expects to announce proposals to reform the management of the 10 metre and under fleet; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  whether he intends to allow 10 metre and under vessels to continue to lease quota from the producer organisations in 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The proportions of quota received by each sector of the fishing fleet are based on arrangements laid down in the UK's Quota Management Rules. I have no plans to change these arrangements for 2008.
	Requirements for quota for each sector and each vessel vary throughout the year and between years in response to changing environmental and economic conditions. For this reason there is no single "appropriate amount of quota" for the under 10 metre fleet. In response, the Marine and Fisheries Agency adjusts quota holdings for the under 10 metre fleet throughout the year through quota swaps, donations from Producer Organisations and contributions through economic links.
	The facility for the leasing of quota by under 10 metre vessels was introduced as a temporary measure for 2007. I am currently examining options to improve the management of the under 10 metre fleet, including the arrangements for access to quota by these vessels, and expect to make an announcement on this matter soon.

Fisheries: Quotas

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much quota available to skippers in each sector has been unused in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Figures for the uptake of United Kingdom quotas of fish are published each year in Table 6.2 of the United Kingdom Sea Fisheries Statistics Tables published by the Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA). This provides information on the level of quota and the landings of each fish stock (covering demersal, pelagic and shellfish species) for which the UK receives a quota. Information for the year 2006 is included in the latest edition, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. Information for previous years is available online from the MFA website.
	The MFA also publish information on the uptake of quotas in terms of the quota allocated and uptake by each producer organisation in the United Kingdom. The latest information on uptake in 2007 is available, and similar information related to activity in 2005 and 2006 is available on the MFA website.
	Fisheries Administrations in the UK seek to work with the industry to facilitate maximum uptake of UK quota. Uptake of quotas by the UK industry varies from stock to stock in line with operational and business decisions made by the industry, as well as the effect of other constraints on fishing operations such as the various effort control regimes that exist. Uptake also varies from year-to-year as well as throughout the year.

Fisheries: Science

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding has been provided for fisheries-related science in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The following table shows spending by DEFRA and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on Marine Fisheries Science in each year since 1997. The figures show total spending, and also break this down into spend on Research and Development (R and D) and on monitoring and assessment work (non R and D).
	Increases to the non R and D funds for 2004-06 reflect the introduction of a £1 million Fisheries Science Partnership initiative in 2004, and several increases to Capital Charges paid to the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).
	
		
			  £ 
			   R and D  Non R and D  Total 
			 1997 3,091,018 4,664,238 7,755,256 
			 1998 4,097,522 3,884,120 7,981,642 
			 1999 3,074,360 4,224,513 7,298,873 
			 2000 3,566,795 4,598,165 8,164,960 
			 2001 3,354,031 4,621,959 7,975,990 
			 2002 3,367,063 5,942,000 9,309,063 
			 2003 3,243,581 5,942,000 9,185,581 
			 2004 3,199,128 8,487,999 11,687,127 
			 2005 3,168,882 9,985,000 13,153,882 
			 2006 3,380,906 10,543,000 13,923,906

Fisheries: Standards

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what  (a) targets and  (b) deadlines for achieving them were set out in each Marine and Fisheries Business Plan published by his Department since 1997; which targets were (i) reached and (ii) not reached by the deadlines; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA's Marine and Fisheries Directorate was established on 1 April 2006. Business plans were published for 2006-07 and 2007-08, and copies are available in the House of Commons Library. They set out the work and milestones of the directorate for this period, and the 2007-08 plan includes a review of the previous year's progress.
	I am pleased to say that the Government have made considerable progress on a wide range of marine and fisheries issues. We published the Marine Bill White Paper in March 2007 and plan to publish the draft Bill next year.
	We have delivered key UK objectives on a number of important marine and fisheries portfolios at European Council and international meetings, including changes to allow more informed decision making on fish quotas and technical regulations and on the Marine Strategy Directive.
	There have been important improvements in fisheries management in response to the Prime Ministers Strategy Unit report "Net Benefits". We have also secured amendments to the London and OSPAR conventions to allow carbon storage on the sea bed. This has the potential to be a significant means of ameliorating the effects of carbon emissions.

Fisheries: Subsidies

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much fisheries-related funding were allocated from the EU to the UK in each year since 1997, broken down by  (a) region and (b) fisheries administration; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The fisheries-related allocations from the EU to the UK were as follows:
	 1997-99
	 UK Objective 5a programme (England , Lowland Scotland , Wales)
	(The EU did not provide an allocation by region for this programme)
	1997: 14.8 mecus (£10.2 million)
	1998: 14.8 mecus (£10.2 million)
	1999: 14.8 mecus (£10.2 million)
	 UK Objective 1 programmes
	
		
			   Merseyside  Scotland Highlands and Islands  Northern Ireland 
			   Mecus  £ million  Mecus  £ million  Mecus  £ million 
			 1997 0.1 0.1 3.1 2.1 2.5 1.7 
			 1998 0.1 0.1 3.1 2.1 2.5 1.7 
			 1999 0.1 0.1 2.7 1.8 2.5 1.7 
		
	
	 Fisheries element of UK PESCA programme
	
		
			   England  Lowland Scotland  Scotland Highlands and Islands  Wales  Northern Ireland 
			   Mecus  £ million  Mecus  £ million  Mecus  £ million  Mecus  £ million  Mecus  £ million 
			 1997 0.9 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.6 0.4 0.02 0.01 0.1 0.04 
			 1998 0.7 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.01 0.01 0.1 0.04 
			 1999 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.6 0.4 0.02 0.01 0.1 0.04 
		
	
	 Total UK:
	1997: 21.8 mecus (£15.0 million)
	1998: 21.6 mecus (£14.9 million)
	1999: 21.4 mecus (£14.7 million)
	 2000-06
	 UK Outside Objective 1 programme
	
		
			   England  Lowland Scotland  Wales 
			   Meuro  £ million  Meuro  £ million  Meuro  £ million 
			 2000 8.6 5.9 8.6 5.9 0.4 0.2 
			 2001 8.8 6.0 8.8 6.0 0.4 0.2 
			 2002 9.0 6.2 9.0 6.2 0.4 0.2 
			 2003 9.2 6.3 9.2 6.3 0.4 0.2 
			 2004 8.5 5.8 8.5 5.8 0.3 0.2 
			 2005 8.6 5.9 8.6 5.9 0.4 0.2 
			 2006 8.9 6.1 8.9 6.1 0.4 0.2 
		
	
	 UK Objective 1 programmes
	
		
			   Cornwall  Merseyside  Scotland Highlands and Islands  West Wales and the Valleys  Northern Ireland 
			   Meuro  £ million  Meuro  £ million  Meuro  £ million  Meuro  £ million  Meuro  £ million 
			 2000 3.1 2.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 2.3 1.6 0.9 0.6 
			 2001 2.5 1.8 0.0 0.0 8.3 5.7 2.3 1.6 1.9 1.3 
			 2002 2.7 1.9 0.1 0.1 6.4 4.4 2.2 1.5 5.4 3.7 
			 2003 2.5 1.8 0.0 0.0 4.6 3.1 2.2 1.5 5.5 3.8 
			 2004 1 .9 1.3 0.1 0.1 3.7 2. 5 2.0 1.3 5.5 3.8 
			 2005 2.2 1.5 0.0 0.0 2.9 2.0 2.1 1.5 5.4 3.7 
			 2006 2.0 1.4 0.1 0.1 1.9 1.3 2.1 1.4 5.4 3.7 
		
	
	 Total UK:
	2000: 24.0 meuros (£16.6 million)
	2001: 32.9 meuros (£22.7 million)
	2002: 35.1 meuros (£24.2 million)
	2003: 33.5 meuros (£23.1 million)
	2004: 30.3 meuros (£20.9 million)
	2005: 30.2 meuros (£20.8 million)
	2006: 29.6 meuros (£20.4 million)

Fishing Catches

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects further proposals from the Commission Communication: A Policy to Reduce Unwanted By-catch and Eliminate Discards in European Fisheries (COM (2007) 136 final) to be discussed at a Fisheries Council meeting; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: I would expect the issue of discards to be a key topic of discussion during the negotiations surrounding the setting of total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for 2008 at the December EU Fisheries Council.
	The first Council debate was held at the June Agriculture and Fisheries Council and the Commission hope to finalise a plan for implementation by the end of 2007 and develop and introduce legislative proposals during 2008.
	The Commission published its policy paper containing proposals to address the problem of discarding on 28 March 2007. Member states and regional advisory councils among others have since been consulted by the Commission on its proposals in order to develop an implementation plan.

International Whaling Commission

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make a statement on recent UK Government representations to the International Whaling Commission.

Jonathan R Shaw: The UK plays a prominent role within the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in building and maintaining the coalition of anti-whaling countries. At this year's meeting, due in part to the UK's efforts to increase the number of anti-whaling countries within the IWC, the anti-whaling bloc regained the simple majority within the Commission.
	This majority enabled the UK and our allies to pass several key resolutions, in which the IWC: called on Japan to halt it's lethal scientific research programme known as JARPA II; recognised the need to promote the non-lethal use of cetaceans (i.e. whale-watching); and, reaffirmed the continuing need for the IWC moratorium on commercial whaling in the face of proposals to be considered by the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) aimed at eventually permitting trade in some cetacean products.

Pork

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration he has given to intervention buying of pork products to take excess supply from the UK market; what consideration he has given to the banning of pork imports which are not produced to British standards; and what steps he is taking to ensure pork products carry labelling indicating from which country the pork has been sourced.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 10 December 2007
	Intervention buying of pigmeat is governed by the EU pigmeat regime which includes provision for limited private storage aid under certain market conditions. Applications for private storage aid were recently opened for the period from 29 October to 4 December. Uptake in the UK was very low compared to the rest of the EU.
	The vast majority of pig meat imports into the UK are from EU countries and are, therefore, protected by single market legislation. There are very few areas in which UK law goes beyond the requirements of the EU minimum standards. The principal remaining difference between UK and other member states pig welfare standards regards the use of sow stalls, where UK-type restrictions will not apply across the EU until 2013. World Trade Organisation rules currently do not allow us to restrict trade on animal welfare grounds.
	All consignments of meat imported into the UK from other EU member states and third countries must have been produced in accordance with the harmonised animal and public health rules laid down in European Community legislation.
	The Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and the Food Safety Act 1990 govern the use of labelling including that for country of origin. Any labelling that provides information on the origin of meat must not mislead consumers. Where meat has been processed then, provided it is a substantial change, it is permissible to describe as its origin the country where that change took place. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has lead responsibility for labelling and has issued guidance which suggests that if the absence of information might mislead consumers, then both the origin of the meat and the country where the processing takes place should be declared in order to facilitate informed consumer choice. The FSA also leads on engagement in the EUs Review of Food Labelling and DEFRA is liaising with them to ensure that concerns such as country sourcing are taken fully into account.
	We also welcome initiatives such as that of the British pig industry to develop a code of practice to help make consumers better informed about methods and origin of pigmeat production.

Seas and Oceans: Biodiversity

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 4 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 1097-8W, on seas and oceans: biodiversity, which special areas of conservation he has identified beyond the 12 nautical mile limit; what measures he is taking to protect these areas; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: We are finalising our Natura 2000 network of sites in the marine area, which we hope to substantially complete by 2012. We expect to send an initial tranche of candidate offshore special areas of conservation to the European Commission before September 2008.
	The Joint Nature Conservation Committee will be consulting on seven initial sites later this month. These include: Braemar Pockmarks, Darwin Mounds, Haig Fras, North Norfolk Sandbanks and Saturn Reef, Scanner Pockmark, Stanton Banks and Wyville Thomson Ridge.
	At the time of the consultation the sites are not European offshore marine sites so the Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, c.) Regulations 2007 do not apply as a matter of law or as a matter of policy. However, DEFRA will consider what action might reasonably be taken to protect sites. Consenting authorities are encouraged to take note of proposals in consideration of any licensing or consenting decisions that may affect sites.
	If the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), as our scientific nature conservation advisers, advised us that potential offshore sites are being damaged by fishing activities, we would approach the Commission to ask them to consider proposing protective measures. The JNCC have not indicated that there is any such damage occurring in our current potential sites.
	Our programme of data collection and survey work will continue to identify further sites required to complete the UK network.

Slaughterhouses: Religious Practice

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will bring forward proposals to regulate the halal slaughter industry in order to assist the identification of such produce throughout the wholesale process.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government recognises that some purchasers may wish to have access to this information, however, it has no plans to bring in legislation in this area. There is, of course, nothing to prevent food businesses from providing this information, throughout the supply chain on a voluntary basis.

Academies: Pupil Exclusions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many permanent exclusions there were from each academy in each year since 2002-03; how many there were in those schools in the year before academy status was granted; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: The number of permanent exclusions from each academy in each year since 2002-03 to 2005-06 is provided in the table. Exclusions data relating to the 2006-07 school year are expected to be available in June 2008.
	Information on the number of exclusions from the predecessor schools of each academy could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
	Exclusions in academies are high relative to national averages. However, academies are placing great emphasis on getting the basics right and improving behaviour in particular. Academies often inherit a large number of disengaged pupils and need to establish good behaviour in order to raise attainment. As the new ethos and behaviour policy are enforced in an academy's early days, the number of exclusions may rise, but it typically drops down as behaviour improves. This phenomenon is not unique to academiesthe same effect is often observed when a new head teacher transforms a struggling maintained school.
	
		
			  Academies: number of permanent exclusions( 1,2)  2002-03 to 2005-06, schools in England 
			Number of permanent exclusions 
			  LA name  Establishment name  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Barnet London Academy n/a (3) 0 0 
			 Barnsley The Barnsley Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Bexley The Business Academy Bexley 4 6 7 9 
			 Bradford Dixons City Academy n/a n/a (3) n/a 
			 Brent Capital City Academy n/a 4 11 13 
			 Bristol City of The City Academy Bristol n/a 7 4 3 
			 Derby Landau Forte College n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Doncaster Trinity Academy n/a n/a n/a 6 
			 Baling West London Academy (3) 8 22 17 
			 Greenwich St. Paul's Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Hackney Mossbourne Community Academy n/a n/a 0 0 
			 Hackney The Petchey Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham Burlington Danes Academy n/a n/a n/a (3) 
			 Haringey Greig City Academy 13 0 0 0 
			 Hillingdon Stockley Academy n/a 3 4 4 
			 Hillingdon The Harefield Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Kent The Marlowe Academy n/a n/a n/a 3 
			 Lambeth Lambeth Academy n/a n/a 0 0 
			 Leeds David Young Community Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Lewisham Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Lewisham Haberdashers' Aske's Knights Academy n/a n/a (3) (3) 
			 Liverpool North Liverpool Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Liverpool The Academy of St Francis of Assisi n/a n/a n/a 5 
			 Manchester Manchester Academy 3 3 0 0 
			 Merton Harris Academy Merton n/a n/a n/a 5 
			 Merton St. Marks Church of England Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Middlesbrough Macmillan Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Middlesbrough The King's Academy n/a 27 7 11 
			 Middlesbrough Unity City Academy 0 8 6 0 
			 Northamptonshire Northampton Academy n/a 9 9 23 
			 Nottingham Djanogly City Academy Nottingham 4 3 11 10 
			 Reading John Madejski Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Salford Salford City Academy n/a n/a 6 4 
			 Sandwell Sandwell Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Sheffield Sheffield Park Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Sheffield Sheffield Springs Academy n/a n/a n/a (3) 
			 Solihull Grace Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Southwark City of London Academy (Southwark) n/a 0 3 4 
			 Southwark Harris Academy Bermondsey n/a n/a n/a 5 
			 Southwark Harris Girls' Academy East Dulwich n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Southwark The Academy at Peckham n/a 5 10 13 
			 Thurrock The Gateway Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Walsall Walsall Academy n/a (3) 0 0 
			 Waltham Forest Walthamstow Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Westminster Paddington Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Westminster Westminster Academy n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 n/a = not applicable (1) Figures are as reported by schools and are unconfirmed. (2) It is possible that in some cases exclusions from a predecessor school have been transferred across to the academy. This may have happened in only a small number of cases and only in the first year of the academy's operation. (3) One or two exclusions  Source: School Census

Children: Equal Opportunities

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government has taken to widen equality of opportunity for children since 1997.

Jim Knight: Since 1997, with the support of teachers and practitioners, we have achieved an unprecedented increase in school standards. And, in the context of raising school standards, we have also met the challenge of broadening equality of attainment for many under achieving groups. Our continued focus is to raise school standards and deliver a world class education system where every child, irrespective of gender, race, disability or background, receives the best possible education, personalised to their needs, aptitudes and aspirations.
	Doubling funding per pupil in real terms since 1997, record number of adults in the classroom, our national strategies, our focus on literacy and numeracy, personalised learning, progression, curriculum changes, behaviour, academies and a better choice of schoolsall these actions and achievements will continue to support this effort. Additionally, targeted interventions to address disadvantage and promote equality, such as City Challenge, Aiming High, approaches to benefit boys' attainment where they have been under achieving, attracting more girls into physics, addressing prejudice driven bullying and increased school funding for children from poor families, with special needs and/or with English as an additional language, will continue to support this effort.
	In addition to raising school standards we have made a number of far-reaching policy commitments to widen equality of opportunity for children. The cross-Government Every Child Matters programme will secure an expansion of early education, the development of Children's Centres and extended schools and the development of integrated multi-agency working to support children and young people with additional needs.
	Our 14 to 19 reforms will ensure equality of opportunity for all young people. We are creating an entitlement for every young person to be able to study the new Diplomas, and this will require schools, colleges and other providers to work together to deliver these new courses to all young people in their area. Diplomas will be offered at Levels 1, 2 and 3, and will include Functional Skills, so that young people get a real grounding in basic English, maths and ICT as well as more subject specific knowledge. The entitlement to Diplomas is in addition to the existing National Curriculum offer, and will give young people much greater choice about what and where they study.
	We are working hard to tackle problems of disengagement and low attainment. The 14 to 19 reforms not only offer a broader curriculum, but also one with clearer pathways from Entry Level through to Level 2 qualifications and beyond. We want as many young people as possible to attain Level 2 qualifications by the time they reach the age of 19, as we believe it is Level 2 qualifications which will give them real employability.
	We want as many young people as possible to stay in education and training until the age of 18 so that they can maximise their potential and gain the key skills which will enable them to be successful in employment and in life. We will raise the compulsory education and training leaving age to 18 to ensure that all young people have as much of an opportunity as possible to set themselves up with key life skills.
	We will set out our commitments in more detail in the forthcoming Children's Plan.

Children: Poverty

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government have taken to reduce the number of children living in poverty since 1997.

Beverley Hughes: The Government are working to halve child poverty by 2010-11 and eradicate it by 2020. Since 1997, many steps have been taken to improve financial support for families, provide employment opportunities for all, provide support when people cannot work, tackle material deprivation through promoting financial inclusion and better housing and improve children's life chances and break cycles of deprivation (as set out in Child Poverty Review (July 2004) HM Treasury). A total of 600,000 UK children have been lifted out of relative poverty since 1998/99, (both before and after housing costs). The number of children in absolute poverty (before housing costs) has been more than halved since 1998/99.
	The Government have recently published a Delivery Agreement (DA), underpinning the Child Poverty Public Service Agreement (PSA) which, alongside other delivery agreements aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people, which also impact on child poverty. These comprise agreements aimed at narrowing the gap in educational achievement, raising educational attainment, improving children's health and well being, increasing the number of young people on the path to success, and improving the safeguarding of children. The Child Poverty Unit has also been set up to drive forward the Government's commitment to eradicate child poverty by bringing together policy and analytical civil servants from the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Children's Centres: Low Incomes

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance his Department provides to low income key workers who are parents of twins, triplets or greater multiple births and wish to arrange childcare via their local Sure Start children's centre.

Beverley Hughes: The Department does not provide guidance directly to parents who wish to arrange childcare via their local Sure Start Children's Centre. Our guidance for local authorities and children's centres managers (Sure Start Children's Centres Planning and Performance Management Guidance November 2006) makes it clear that all centres should provide advice and information for parents about local childcare options. Those centres serving the most disadvantaged communities will include early years provision (integrated early learning and full daycare places) within the services they offer at the centre.
	Parents can find out about local childcare options by contacting their local Children's Information Service on freephone 0800 2 346346 or on line at
	www.direct.gov.uk/childcare.

Departmental Data Protection

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what steps his Department has taken to protect the personal data on members of the public which it holds;
	(2)  how many documents sent either to or from the Department have been reported as missing in the past year.

Kevin Brennan: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007,  Official Report, column 1179. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review.

Education: ICT

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government has taken to widen the availability of technology in support of learning.

Jim Knight: The Government set their strategy for technology in education in their Harnessing Technology document published in 2005. The priorities for the strategy are underpinned by a number of system-wide and sector specific actions applying to the children's services, schools, 14 to 19, HE and lifelong learning sectors. In addition, there have been targeted programmes to put ICT in the homes of the most disadvantaged pupils, and a taskforce, set up earlier this year to look at how we might ensure sustainable access for all school age learners, is due to report next year.

Financial Services: Education

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the curricular time needed for the teaching of financial capability at key stages three and four.

Beverley Hughes: No formal assessment has been undertaken. It is for schools themselves to decide how to organise their timetables, including how much time to spend teaching each subject, working within National Curriculum requirements. To help schools plan for delivery of the new secondary curriculum, the National College of School Leadership and the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust are running joint regional events for secondary school leaders and curriculum planners on whole curriculum design, to help them think through the process of designing and timetabling a curriculum in their own schools.

Financial Services: Education

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has to monitor and audit the implementation of financial capability education at key stages three and four.

Beverley Hughes: From September 2008, a new dedicated 'Economic wellbeing and financial capability(') strand will be introduced at Key Stage 3 and 4, as part of a revised curriculum for Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education. In September, my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families announced 11.5 million new funding over three years to support the teaching of financial education in schools. We are in the process of appointing a contractor to develop and implement a programme of support for schools in this area. The impact of this programme will be measured by independent evaluation, assessing outcomes through interaction with teachers, pupils and other key stakeholders. We will also use Ofsted evidence and research conducted by the Financial Services Authority to judge the effectiveness of our approach.

History: Ethnic Groups

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government has taken to encourage schools to teach Black history.

Jim Knight: This Department is committed to supporting equality and diversity through the National Curriculum. The revised secondary curriculum for history, to be taught from September 2008, now includes compulsory study of the British Empire and its impact on different people in Britain and overseas, pre-colonial civilisations, the nature and effects of the slave trade, and resistance and decolonisation. To mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the Slave Trade a new resource pack for teachers was developed by the Understanding Slavery Initiative as a key element of a national competition for schools, funded by the Government. In addition, the new Citizenship curriculum, aligned with the history curriculum, covers Living together in Modern Britain, including themes on immigration, the Commonwealth, and links to the study of the British Empire in history. In line with the recommendations of Sir Keith Ajegbo's review of diversity, the new citizenship curriculum will ensure young people will develop a historical understanding of issues that have shaped contemporary life in the UK and the values we share.

Primary Education: Gloucestershire

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what discussions Stroud District Council has had with  (a) Gloucestershire City Council and  (b) his Department on a proposal to open a new primary school at Hunts Grove.

Jim Knight: The Department has not had any discussions with Stroud district council about proposals to establish a new primary school at Hunts Grove. It would be for Gloucestershire county council to confirm whether they have had such discussions with the district council.
	The normal route by which a new school can be established is for a local authority (LA) to run a competition, which enables a range of providers to put forward proposals for the new school. The process involves six statutory stages: Consultation, Published Notice Inviting Bids; Published Notice Summarising Bids; Representations; Decision; and Implementation. Our guidance on establishing new schools requires the LA to inform the Department when they begin the consultation stage. We have not been informed that Gloucestershire LA is consulting on plans for a new school in Hunts Grove.

Primary Education: Newcastle

Doug Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of parents did not receive their first choice of primary school for their children in the Newcastle local education authority area in the last period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: Data on the percentage of parents who do not receive their first choice of primary school is not collected centrally.

Publications

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  when his Department commissioned the report on The Integrated Children's System: An Evaluation of the Practice, Process and Consequences of the ICS in CSSRs;
	(2)  when he plans to publish the report commissioned by his Department on the Integrated Children's System: An Evaluation of the Practice, Process and Consequences of the ICS in CSSRs; and when his Department received the report.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 5 December 2007
	The study was commissioned in June 2004. The first draft of the report was received in September 2006. A summary of the key findings from the research is being prepared for publication on the Department's website in early 2008.

Schools: Disabled

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government have taken to make schools accessible to pupils with disabilities since 1997.

Jim Knight: In 2001, the Government extended the scope of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) to cover access to education. As a result disabled children, students and adults seeking access to education now have rights against discrimination under part 4 of the DDA.
	The discrimination duties schools have under part 4 of the DDA mean that they must not, without justification, treat disabled pupils or students less favourably than pupils who are not disabled, and they must make reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled pupils and students are not put at a substantial disadvantage in comparison to those who are not disabled. Also, schools and local authorities (LAs) are under a duty to plan strategically to increase, over time, access for pupils with disabilities to schools. This duty includes planning to increase access to the school premises and to the curriculum, and providing written material in alternative formats to ensure accessibility.
	To support schools in meeting their responsibilities under the DDA, the then DFES published a training resource for schools and local authorities: 'Implementing the
	Disability Discrimination Act in schools and early years settings'.
	More resources are going into schools to support children with SEN and disabilities. Local authorities' planned spending on SEN stood at almost 4.9 billion in 2007-08, up from almost 2.8 billion in 2000-01. Indicative SEN funding in mainstream schools rose by 52 per cent. from almost 1.3 billion in 2003-04 to over 2.0 billion in 2007-08 and school budgets for special schools rose by 31 per cent. from almost 1.1 billion to over 1.4 billion over the same period. In addition, substantial capital fundinga total of some 800 million up to 2007-08 has been allocated to local authorities and schools through the Schools Access Initiative (SAI) and equivalent voluntary aided funding, which provides capital funding for projects to improve the accessibility of mainstream schools to disabled pupils. Further capital allocations totalling 340 million will be made during the years 2008-09 to 2010-11.

Science: Standards

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the reasons for the change in international ranking of UK schools for science since 2000.

Jim Knight: The Government are encouraged by the findings set out in the full international report of The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) that was published on 4 December 2007 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It shows that in science, the results for young people in England were significantly above the OECD average. Because this is the first time that science has been the main focus of PISA, the OECD states on page 32 of its international report, PISA 2006: science competencies for tomorrow's world, that it is not possible for any country to compare science learning outcomes from PISA 2006 with those of earlier PISA assessments.
	The study shows that in science we have performed well compared to other countries and that the best English teenagers are among the best in the world and that they greatly value science. But it also shows that a challenge still remains for schools and businesses to get students enthused about science. Work is already underway to meet this challenge, for instance:
	we are already changing the curriculum, giving more pupils the chance to study separate physics, chemistry and biology GCSEs and piloting 250 science clubs for 11 to 14-year-olds. We will also increase the number of science ambassadors (people with industry experience in science and engineering) to 18,000 by 2008 to work with teachers in schools to engage and enthuse young scientists;
	next year we will launch a programme of careers guidance to capture young people's imagination by showing them the range of career opportunities available to those who study science;
	we are planning a three year programme of communications activity to support policy reforms in order to increase take up of science post-16.

Science: Teachers

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many teachers with a level 4 qualification or above in  (a) physics,  (b) chemistry,  (c) biology and  (d) mathematics were teaching in English schools in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: holding answer 10 December 2007
	 : The information requested is not available in the format requested.
	Information on the number of full-time teachers in service in secondary schools by the highest post A level qualification in the subject they teach is available from the Secondary School Curriculum and Staffing Survey (SSCSS) an occasional sample survey last conducted in 2002 and 2007. 2007 figures are expected to be published in spring 2008.
	The following table provides the number of teachers teaching each subject area and the level of qualification in that subject in 2002, the latest information available.
	
		
			  Teachers in Service: Full-time teachers in maintained secondary schoolsHighest post A level qualifications( 1)  held in the subjects they teach( 2)  to year groups 7-13, England 
			   Percentages  
			   Degree( 3)  BEd  PGCE  Cert Ed  Other Qual.  No Qual.  Total teachers (Thousand) 
			 Mathematics 42 ± 3 15 ± 2 9 ± 2 7 ± 1 2 ± 1 24 ± 2 28.2 
			 English 51 ± 3 15 ± 2 7 ± 1 6 ± 1 1 ± 1 20 ± 2 29.4 
			 
			 Combined/General science 62 ± 3 12 ± 2 10 ± 2 4 ± 1 1 ± 1 11 ± 2 28.3 
			 Biology(4) 71 ± 5 7 ± 3 11 ± 4 3 ± 2 - ± 1 7 ± 3 5.6 
			 Chemistry(4) 72 ± 5 6 ± 3 12 ± 4 1 ± 1 1 ± 1 7 ± 3 5.2 
			 Physics(4) 63 ± 6 11 ± 4 15 ± 4 3 ± 2 - ± - 8 ± 3 4.7 
			 Other sciences(4) 10 ± 6 4 ± 4 5 ± 4 - ± - - ± - 80 ± 8 1.6 
			 
			 French 54 ± 3 7 ± 2 10 ± 2 3 ± 1 2 ± 1 23 ± 3 16.0 
			 German 47 ± 5 6 ± 3 13 ± 4 1 ± 1 2 ± 1 30 ± 5 6.9 
			 Spanish 37 ± 7 8 ± 4 19 ± 6 - ± - 3 ± 2 33 ± 7 3.6 
			 Other modern languages 18 ± 8 - ± - 9 ± 7 - ± - 3 ± 4 71 ±10 1.4 
			 
			 Design and technology(5) 26 ± 3 20 ± 3 7 ± 2 21 ± 3 2 ± 1 24 ± 3 20.9 
			 ICT(5, 6) 13 ± 2 6 ± 1 8 ± 2 2 ± 1 3 ± 1 69 ± 3 18.9 
			 Other/Combined technology(5) 30± 1 0 13 ± 8 16 ± 7 18 ± 9 2 ± 3 20 ± 9 1.6 
			 
			 Business studies 30 ± 5 11 ± 4 9 ± 3 4 ± 2 3 ± 2 43 ± 5 6.5 
			 Classics 33 ± 7 - ± - 2 ± 4 2 ± - - ± - 63 ± 7 1.0 
			 History 57 ± 4 9 ± 2 6 ± 2 6 ± 2 - ± - 23 ± 3 13.7 
			 Religious education 22 ± 3 8 ± 2 8 ± 2 4 ± 1 2 ± 1 57 ± 4 14.2 
			 Geography 53 ± 4 9 ± 2 6 ± 2 5 ± 2 1 ± 1 25 ± 3 13.7 
			 Other social studies 35 ± 5 6 ± 3 2 ± 2 2 ± 1 - ± 1 54 ± 6 4.9 
			 Combined arts/humanities/social studies 5 ± 3 4 ± 2 7 ± 3 1 ± 1 1 ± 1 83 ± 5 5.3 
			 
			 Music 59 ± 5 15 ± 4 5 ± 2 6 ± 3 2 ± 2 13 ± 4 6.3 
			 Drama 25 ± 4 10 ± 3 12 ± 3 6 ± 2 2 ± 1 45 ± 5 8.1 
			 Art and design 54 ± 4 10 ± 3 7 ± 2 9 ± 3 1 ± 1 20 ± 4 9.3 
			 Physical education 25 ± 3 31 ± 3 6 ± 2 13 ± 2 2 ± 1 22 ± 2 21.4 
			 Careers education 2 ± 2 1 ± 2 3 ± 3 4 ± 4 3 ± 4 87 ± 7 1.5 
			 PSHE(6) 1 ± - 1 ± - 2 ± 1 1 ± - - ± - 95 ± 1 61.4 
			 General studies 1 ± 1 2 ± 1 1 ± 1 - ± 1 - ± - 95 ± 2 7.1 
			 Citizenship 2 ± 1 1 ± 1 2 ± 1 - ± 1 - ± - 94 ± 2 9.0 
			 Other   32.8 
			 
			 Total(2, 7) 33 ± - 10 ±- 7 ± - 5 ± - 1 ± - 44 ± - 388.4 
			 '-' = zero or less than 0.5. (1) Where a teacher has more than one post A level qualification in the same subject, the qualification level is determined by the highest level reading from left (Degree) to right (Other Qual.). For example, teachers shown under PGCE have a PGCE but not a degree or BEd in the subject, while those with a PGCE and a degree are shown only under Degree. (2) Teachers are counted once against each subject which they are teaching. (3) Includes higher degrees but excludes BEds. (4) Teachers qualified in combined/general science are treated as qualified to teach biology, chemistry, or physics. Teachers qualified in biology, chemistry or physics are treated as qualified to teach combined/general science. (5) Teachers qualified in other/combined technology are treated as qualified to teach design and technology or information and communication technology. Teachers qualified in design and technology or information and communication technology are treated as qualified to teach other/combined technology. (6) Information and Communication Technology is abbreviated as ICT and Personal Social and Health Education is abbreviated as PSHE. (7) 'Other' not included in total percentages.  Source: Secondary Schools Curriculum and Staffing Survey 2002.

Teachers: Standards

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government have taken to improve the quality of teaching in primary and secondary schools since 1997.

Jim Knight: Since 1997 we have focused strongly on improving the quality of teaching at both primary and secondary levels through the Primary National Strategy and the Secondary National Strategy. They are our key levers to raise standards of teaching and learning in all four Key Stages, and it is through them that we provide a wealth of training, guidance and materials aimed at supporting teachers and improve the quality of teaching. We continue to invest in and offer a range of different ways of training to teach. Through all of this we support teachers in helping children make the fastest possible progress.
	The quality of teaching in our primary and secondary schools has risen significantly since 1997 and Ofsted say that we have the best generation of teachers ever. This is evidenced by ever increasing standards in literacy and mathematics. In total over 375,000 more young people gained 5 or more good GCSEs over the period 1997-2006. Provisional results for 2007 show that 60.3 per cent. achieved 5 A*-C grades (an increase of 13.4 percentage points since 1997) and 45.7 per cent. achieved 5 A*-C GCSEs including English and maths (up 9.7 percentage points since 1997). At primary in 2007 80 per cent. Of 11-year-olds achieved the target level 4 or above in English and 77 per cent. did so in maths. In 1997 less than ? of 11-year-olds reached this level in either subject (63 per cent. in English and 62 per cent. in maths).
	But we want to do even more to improve the quality of teaching. Through revised performance management arrangements, introduced in September, we will ensure that all teachers have objectives which reflect their own individual development needs.

Teachers: Training

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many students were recruited for initial teacher training in  (a) science,  (b) mathematics and  (c) design technology and information and communication technology in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: The following tables shows recruitment through mainstream and employment-based routes (EBR) initial teacher training (ITT) courses for science, mathematics, design and technology and information and communications technology between 1997/98 and 2006/07.
	
		
			  Recruitment to mainstream initial teacher training courses( 1, 2) , academic year 1997/98 to 2006/07, England 
			  Secondary subject( 3)  1997/98  1998/99  1999/2000  2000/01  2001/02  2002/03  2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07 
			 Mathematics 1,460 1,120 1,300 1,290 1,550 1,670 1,940 2,030 1,920 2,000 
			 Science 2,790 2,280 2,360 2,410 2,590 2,700 2,870 2,830 2,890 2,990 
			 Design and Technology 1,030 810 790 860 970 960 1,070 940 940 1,010 
			 Information and Communications Technology 380 400 460 520 620 800 930 960 920 930 
			 (1) Recruitment figures for 2006/07 are provisional and are subject to change. (2) Includes universities and other HE institutions, SCITT and OU, but excludes employment-based routes. Recruitment numbers shown are rounded to the nearest 10. (3) Excludes vocational subjects e.g. applied ICT, applied science, engineering from 2003/4 onwards.  Source: TDA survey of ITT providers. 
		
	
	
		
			  Recruitment to initial teacher training, employment-based routes( 1) , academic year 1997/98 to 2006/07, England 
			  Secondary subject( 3)  1997/98  1998/99  1999/2000  2000/01  2001/02  2002/03  2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  Autumn term  2006/07( 2) 
			 Mathematics * 30 70 120 300 390 570 560 520 290 
			 Science * 50 80 170 460 520 660 750 660 400 
			 Design and Technology(3) 0 30 60 190 240 300 320 290 290 190 
			 Information and Communications Technology 0 0 20 80 230 340 370 390 350 210 
			 (1) Recruitment numbers shown are rounded to the nearest 10. '*'represents less than 10. (2) Recruitment in 2006/07 is for the autumn term only and is provisional. Figures from 2003/04 onwards are subject to future revision. (3) Design and technology includes textiles.  Note: Figures prior to 2002/03 are taken from TDA records as at the end of the academic year. Figures for 2002/03 onwards are taken from the TDA EBR database as at January 2007 and are not directly comparable with previous years. 2003/04 was the first year of the Teach First programme. Teach First data for 2003/04 and 2004/05 is at November of the academic year. Teach First data for 2005/06 and autumn term 2006/07 is at January 2007.  Sources: TDA Employment Based Routes Database. Teach First Organisation. 
		
	
	Updated tables, incorporating final 2006/07 and provisional 2007/08 recruitment data are scheduled to be published in January 2008.

Young People: Lancashire

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many 16 to 18-year-olds in  (a) Ribble Valley constituency and  (b) Lancashire were not in education, employment or training in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: The Department publishes annual estimates of the number of 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training (MEET) in England. These estimates cannot be disaggregated to local authority or constituency level.
	However, we can use information collected by the Connexions Service to estimate the number and proportion of young people NEET at local authority level. The 2006 estimate for Lancashire is that 2,820 (7.5 per cent.) of 16 to 18-year-olds were NEET. Figures are not available separately for Ribble Valley constituency.

Adult Education: Concessions

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many local authorities offered concessionary fees for adult education courses for people over the age of 65 years in the 12 month period  (a) before and  (b) after the introduction of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006.

Bill Rammell: We recognise the importance of adult learning in meeting a range of personal, social and community needs and we know how much people, particularly older learners, value and enjoy their courses. The Government remain fully committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all learners and that learning serves the needs of the whole community, including older people both within and outside the work force.
	Fee concessions for further education (FE) provision are offered at the discretion of FE providers, including local authorities (LA). As a result information on those learners who receive these concessions is not held by my Department.
	We do not want older people to be priced out of learning. Therefore, in line with our fee remission policies, older learners on limited incomes should not have to contribute to the tuition costs of their learning. We define limited incomes as receiving a means-tested benefit like housing benefit, income support or the pension (guarantee) credit.
	Many older people will also be able to take advantage of free access to literacy and numeracy courses, as well as free tuition to undertake first full Level 2 vocational qualifications.
	However, I would like to make clear that the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 do not bar providers from offering fee discounts for learners aged 65 and over. They allow for such positive action provided that it can be objectively justified. I refer the hon. Member to my written statement on 16 May 2007,  Official Report, column 35WS.

Animal Experiments: Finance

Sandra Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much of the budget held by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research is used for the replacement of the use of animals in research.

Ian Pearson: Since it was launched in 2004, the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of animals in research has committed 5.3 million to support 31 research projects. 18 of these projects, at a total cost of 3.4 million, are aimed at replacing the use of animals in scientific research and testing.

Further Education: Fees and Charges

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what guidance has been issued to further education colleges on fee payments for courses by persons claiming income support; and what steps have been taken to enforce the rules on fee exemptions.

Bill Rammell: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) issues annual guidance to colleges on which learners and which provision are eligible for fee remission or exemption. Guidance for the current academic year is in the 'Funding Guidance for Further Education in 2007/081 booklet issued by the LSC in March 2007 and the 'LSC Learner Eligibility Guidance 2007/08' booklet published in July 2007.
	The guidance is clear that colleges have a mandatory duty to exempt from all costs learners aged 16-18 and all learners undertaking Skills for Life courses. It also describes other categories of LSC funded provision where learners may be eligible for full fee remission. These include those on their first full level 2 qualifications, 19-25 year olds on their first full level 3 qualification and those in receipt of income-related related benefits including income support. Colleges will be subject to audit arrangements on the funding they claim in respect of learners including those for whom they claim full fees.
	Any provision funded by other funding bodies, including local authorities, will not be covered by the LSC guidance, but may be covered by separate arrangements for fee remission that are agreed with that funding body.

Higher Education: Admissions

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills which 10 universities attracted the  (a) highest and  (b) lowest numbers of students from socio-economic classes (i) C, (ii) D and (iii) E in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: The available information is shown in the accompanying tables. The figures show proportions of UK-domiciled young (aged under 21) entrants to full-time first degree courses at each higher education institution, who are from lower social classes over the period 1997/98-2001/02, and the proportions from lower socio-economic classes over the period 2002/03-2005/06. The social classification in the student data changed in the 2002/03 academic year, and the two classifications are not comparable.
	This information is taken from the annual performance indicators in higher education, which are currently published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
	For each institution, the social class/socio-economic class proportion is shown against a benchmark. This is a sector average which is adjusted for each institution to take into account the following factors: subject of study, qualifications on entry and age on entry.
	The benchmarks can be used to show how a university is performing compared to the sector as a whole, and also help to determine whether a meaningful comparison can be drawn between two or more universities.
	Figures for 2006/07 will be available in 2008.
	There are some points which need to be considered when using the accompanying tables:
	1. The tables include the numbers of young entrants to each institution. From this it is clear that the number of students at each institution varies widely, and some have less than 100 students. Figures based on small numbers such as these should be treated with care.
	2. Each year some institutions do not have figures included in the performance indicators publication due to problems with their data. It is possible that any of these could have been placed in the highest and lowest groups if the data for that year had been available.
	The proportion of students from low social classes/low socio-economic classes for each institution has been calculated using information on students whose social class/socio-economic class background is known, A significant proportion of students' social backgrounds are unknown and so exact numbers cannot be determined.
	
		
			  Proportion of UK-domiciled young (under 21) full-time first degree entrants to higher education institutions, who are from socio-economic classes 4, 5, 6 and 72005/06 
			   Number who are young  Percent from NS-SEC classes 4, 5, 6, and 7  Bench mark (percentage) 
			  Ten institutions with highest socio-economic class proportions:
			 Harper Adams University College 260 59.0 36.5 
			 The University of Wolverhampton 2,490 50.0 38.1 
			 The University of East London 1260 48.8 37.7 
			 The University of Greenwich 1,825 47.1 37.2 
			 The University of Teesside 1,500 45.6 37.6 
			 Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies 370 45.4 40.3 
			 Middlesex University 2,370 44.6 37.8 
			 Newman College of Higher Education 330 44.3 36.1 
			 The University of Bradford 1,500 43.7 34.6 
			 University of Bedfordshire 685 43.0 39.4 
			 
			  Ten institutions with lowest socio-economic class proportions:
			 London School of Economics and Political Science 575 17.5 19.4 
			 University College London 2,080 17.5 20,5 
			 Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine 1,295 17.3 20.8 
			 The University of York 1,885 17.1 20.5 
			 The University of Nottingham 4,200 16.9 22.3 
			 Royal Academy of Music 45 16.7 25.9 
			 The University of Bristol 2,845 16.4 20.7 
			 University of Durham 3,195 16.4 21.9 
			 University of London (Institutes and activities) 30 12.0 19.9 
			 The University of Oxford 2,790 11.4 18.3 
			  Notes: 1. The socio-economic group classification was introduced in 2002/03 to replace the social class groupings. The two classifications are not directly comparable. 2. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5.  Source: Performance Indicators in Higher Education, published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

Higher Education: Age Participation Rates

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills whether he plans to extend the study of the young participation in higher education rate by local authority beyond 2000.

Bill Rammell: The Higher Education Funding Council for England will extend the analysis referred to in PQ 172593. This work is underway and nearing completion. Updated annual young HE participation rates covering the young cohorts who reached 18 between 2001 and 2004 will be released for local geographies, including local authorities, early next year.

Higher Education: Newcastle

Doug Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps he plans to take to encourage an increase in undergraduate course applications from those school leavers who reside in the Newcastle local education authority area.

Bill Rammell: Attainment at GCSE level is a key factor in determining participation in higher education. Nationally, at GCSE, the A*-C pass rate increased to 63.3 per cent. in 2007 from 62.4 per cent. in 2006. Academies are challenging the culture of under-achievement and, in Newcastle, Excelsior Academy is opening in September 2008. We are also seeking to strengthen schools' partnerships with universities to raise standards further.
	In July, we announced further improvements to the financial help available to students. No students need to be deterred from higher education because of the costs. We have also announced that the national Aimhigher programme, which runs a range of activities to raise aspirations and increase pupil attainment, will continue for another three years. The vast majority of schools and colleges in Newcastle have one or more Aimhigher-funded Progression Coaches' to provide tailored support to groups and individuals. Aimhigher in Newcastle is also looking at ways to raise awareness of vocational higher education options through Foundation Degree taster courses, and is raising the attainment of learners by investigating awards such as the Certificate of Personal Effectiveness.

Science: Qualifications

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills 
	(1)  what percentage of degrees awarded in science, technology, engineering or mathematics were awarded as equivalent or lower-level qualifications in the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many students in higher education studying for a science, technology, engineering or mathematics degree were pursuing equivalent or lower-level qualifications in the last 10 years.

Bill Rammell: The precise information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the following table sets out the number and proportion of students studying the major science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects as equivalent or lower level qualifications (ELQ) in 2005/06. Subject to consultation, we plan to continue to support vulnerable strategic subjects including STEM subjects studied as ELQs. The 100 million to be redistributed as a result of our ELQ policy will also enable more students to study STEM subjects as first degrees than would otherwise be the case.
	We have already announced that we will be spending an extra 75 million over three years to support relatively expensive STEM subjects.
	
		
			  Number and proportion of students studying major STEM subjects as equivalent or lower qualifications 
			  Subject  ELQ students  ELQ students as percentage of total 
			 Maths 590 4 
			 Physics 180 2 
			 Chemistry 140 2 
			 Biology 340 3 
			 General Engineering 320 5 
			 Electronic Engineering 300 2 
			 Mechanical Engineering 230 3

Training

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills if he will break down by scheme the 7.5 million training places announced in Her Majesty's Gracious Speech.

Bill Rammell: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Statement of Priorities published on 16 November set out the funding strategy for post-16 further education (FE) and skills for the comprehensive spending review (CSR) period (2008-09 to 2010-11). Total investment on post-16 FE and Skills will increase from 11.2 billion in 2007-08 to 12.4 billion in 2010-11.
	Funding for adult participation will be 3.6 billion in 2010-11, an increase of 17 per cent. compared with 2007-08. This will support on average 3 million adult learners each year on programmes ranging from on-line courses to full-time qualifications taken in FE colleges (this includes learners funded through the Adult Learner Responsive and Employer Responsive models, and the adult safeguarded budget).
	The 7.5 million adult learners refers to the total adult places funded through the adult learner and employer responsive models (rounded to the nearest half a million) as set out in the joint Grant Letter to the LSC from my Department and Department for Children, Schools and Families. Annex C to the Grant Letter provides a breakdown of these figures by programme and can be found at
	http://www.dius.gov.uk/publications.html
	Between 2007/08 and 2010/11, the funding settlement will allow us to increase the number of fully funded adult places at full level 2 (5 A*-C GCSEs or their equivalent) by over 30 per cent., and at full level 3 (2 A-levels or more or their equivalent) by around 148 per cent. It will also support an additional 30,000 apprenticeship places for learners aged 25 or over during the CSR period. 1.5 billion per year will be available to support a full range of pre-level 2 first steps and progression programmes.

Training

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what estimate his Department has made of the number of individuals who will receive a training place following the announcement by his Department on 16th November 2007.

Bill Rammell: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Statement of Priorities published on 16 November set out the funding strategy for post-16 further education (FE) and skills for the comprehensive spending review (CSR) period (2008-09 to 2010-11). Total investment on post-16 FE and skills will increase from 11.2 billion in 2007-08 to 12.4 billion in 2010-11.
	Funding for adult participation will be 3.6 billion in 2010-11, an increase of 17 per cent. compared with 2007-08. This will support on average over 3 million adult learners each year on programmes ranging from on-line courses to full-time qualifications taken in FE colleges. Specifically, it will allow us to increase the number of fully funded adult places at full level 2 (5 A*-C GCSEs or their equivalent) by over 30 per cent. and at full level 3 (2 A-levels or more or their equivalent) by around 148 per cent. It will also support an additional 30,000 apprenticeship places for learners aged 25 or over during the CSR period and 1.5 billion per year will be available to support a full range of pre-level 2 first steps and progression programmes.
	Funding for young people (aged 16 to 19) will be 6.9 billion in 2010-11, an increase of 14 per cent. compared with 2007-08. This puts the Government firmly on track to drive up participation and attainment towards the goal of achieving 86 per cent. participation by the end of the CSR period and on to 90 per cent. by 2013, while significantly narrowing achievement gaps through access to a wider range of progression routes, including through a significant expansion of apprenticeships and the roll-out of the new diplomas.
	Annex C to the joint Grant Letter to the LSC from my Department and Department for Children, Schools and Families provides a breakdown of the number of funded places by programme and can be found at:
	http://www.dius.gov.uk/publications.html

Training

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many of the training places announced by his Department on 16 November 2007 will be provided  (a) full-time,  (b) part-time and  (c) via online arrangements.

Bill Rammell: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Statement of Priorities published on 16 November set out the funding strategy for post-16 further education (FE) and skills for the comprehensive spending review (CSR) period (2008-09 to 2010-11). Total investment on post-16 FE and Skills will increase from 11.2 billion in 2007-08 to 12.4 billion in 2010-11.
	Funding for adult participation will be 3.6 billion in 2010-11, an increase of 17 per cent. compared with 2007-08. This will support on average over 3 million adult learners each year on programmes ranging from online courses to full-time qualifications taken in FE colleges. Specifically, it will allow us to increase the number of fully funded adult places at full level 2 (5 A* - C GCSEs or their equivalent) by over 30 per cent. and at full level 3 (2 A-levels or more or their equivalent) by around 148 per cent. It will also support an additional 30,000 apprenticeship places for learners aged 25 or over during the CSR period and 1.5 billion per year will be available to support a full range of pre-level 2 first steps and progression programmes.
	Funding for young people (aged 16-19) will be 6.9 billion in 2010-11, an increase of 14 per cent. compared with 2007-08. This puts the Government firmly on track to drive up participation and attainment towards the goal of achieving 86 per cent. participation by the end of the CSR period and on to 90 per cent. by 2013, while significantly narrowing achievement gaps through access to a wider range of progression routes, including through a significant expansion of apprenticeships and the roll out of the new Diplomas.
	Annex C to the joint Grant Letter to the LSC from my Department and Department for Children, Schools and Families provides a breakdown of the number of funded places by programme and can be found at:
	http://www.dius.gov.uk/publications.html

Union Learning Fund

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what funding was allocated to the Union Learning Fund in each year since 1998.

David Lammy: Trade unions have a key role to play in promoting the development of learning and skills in the workplace. To help them do this more effectively we introduced the Union Learning Fund in 1998. This source of funding is helping trade unions use their influence with employers, employees and training providers to encourage greater take up of learning at work and boost their own capacity as learning organisations. Since 1998 annual expenditure on the Union Learning Fund has been as follows:
	
		
			   Annual expenditure on Union Learning fund (million) 
			 1998/99 1.7 
			 1999/2000 3.1 
			 2000/01 3.9 
			 2001/02 6.3 
			 2002/03 7.4 
			 2003/04 12.2 
			 2004/05 14.4 
			 2005/06 15.4 
			 2006/07 16.9 
		
	
	The budget for 2007/08 is 18.4 million
	With the help of the Union Learning Fund, trade unions and their union learning representatives have been really successful in working with employers to raise skill levels in the work place. There are now over 18,000 trained union learning reps who have helped over 400,000 workers back into learning since the Fund was introduced. Over 150,000 last year alone, many of whom were Skills for Life learners, those most in need of new skills who employers and training providers find it so difficult to reach.

Young People: Wirral

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people between the ages of 18 and 24 years in Wirral, West constituency are not in education, employment or training; and what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of those entering higher education.

Bill Rammell: Annual average estimates of the numbers and proportion of people who are not in education, employment or training are available at a local level from the Annual Population Survey (APS). However, this information cannot be provided for the 18 to 24 age group for the Wirral, West constituency because the number in the sample is so small that ONS rules on protecting confidentiality do not permit disclosure. Estimates for 2006 for Wirral local education authority (LEA), and by of comparison Merseyside/Halton Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the North West and England, are shown in the table as follows. As with all sample surveys estimates from the APS are subject to sampling variability and the smaller the geography the smaller the sample and hence the larger the sampling variability relative to the estimate. Estimates for small areas should therefore be treated with caution.
	
		
			  18 to 24-year-olds' not in education, employment or training (APS, 2006) 
			  Area  Number  Total  Per cent 
			 Wirrall LEA 4,000 22,000 20 
			 Merseyside/Halton LSC 25,000 136,000 19 
			 North West 98,000 589,000 17 
			 England 686,000 4,248,000 16 
			 (1) Based on academic ageie age as at the previous 31 August. For example, someone of academic age 18 is the age one would most often expect someone to enter higher education if they do not take a gap year (ie they will be in their third academic year since completing compulsory education). 
		
	
	The Government remain committed to ensuring that all those with the merit and potential to benefit from higher education are able and willing to do so. The Government will provide an average real terms increase in funding for higher education of around 2.5 per cent. per annum to 2011, which means that in 2010-11 there will be over 1.5 billion of additional funding compared with 2007-08, with funded student numbers rising to around 1.2 million by 2010-1150,000 more than now. Alongside this the Government support the Aimhigher Programme, which seeks to raise aspirations and motivation to enter higher education among young people who are from under-represented backgrounds. The programme was launched nationally in August 2004, is delivered through 45 area-based partnerships of schools, colleges and higher education institutions.
	The Government also offers non-repayable grants. The full grant will be 2,835 per annum from September 2008. At the same time the income threshold for a full grant for new entrants will increase from 17,500 to 25,000 and for partial grant to 60,005. Student numbers in England are up by 323,000 since 1997 to 1.95 million in 2005/06.